T H E G OT H I C H I ST O R Y

OF

J O R DA N E S

I N E N G L I S H V E R SI O N

WITH AN I N T R ODU C T I O N A ND A C O MM E N T A R Y

BY

C H A R L E S C H R I ST O P H E R MIERO W , Ph D
. .

I n s t ru c t o r i n C la ss ics i n P ri n c e t o n U n i v e rs i t y

P R I NC E T O N U N I VE R SI T Y P R E SS
P R I NC E T O N
LO N DO N : H U MP H R E Y M I L FO R D
O X FOR D U N I VE R S I T Y P R E SS
191 5
 C o p yri gh t 19 15 b y
, ,

C H A R L E S C H R I S T O P H E R MI E R O W
l
P u b i sh ed , F e b ru a r y , 191 5

@DO A3 9 1 9 1 1
 P R EF A CE
Thi s editi on o f t h e Ge ti ca o f Jordanes i s based upon
t h e authori tative text and criti ca l apparatus o f Mommsen
as found i n the M on u m e n ta Ge r ma n i a e H i s t ori ca A u c ,

tor es A n ti q u i s s i m i 5 ( Ber l i n wi t h other materia l

a dded . I h ave adhered c l ose l y to hi s spe ll ing o f proper
names especi a l ly Got hi c names except i n a fe w wo rds
, ,

which are o f c ommon use i n anothe r fo rm I hav e care .

fu l l y reviewed a l l the exi sti ng evi d e nce on controve rted

‘

poi nts di s senting i n seve ra l instances f rom t h e conc l u

, ,

si ons o f M o mmsen pa rticu l ar l y i n regard to the sup

,

p o s e dl y Got h i c w ri ter A bl a bi us the ecc l esi asti ca l status o f ,

Jo rdane s and the p l ace o f c o m position o f the Ge t i ca

, .

Fo r the Lati ni ty o f J or danes the studi es o f E W Ol ffl i n -

( A rch .f l at Lex
. I I
.
J B e
. r gm ii l l e,r ( A ugsburg .

and Fri tz Werne r ( H a ll e 1 9 08 ) have been c on

s u l t e d and f o r ready c onvenience of i ll ust ration i n hi s
,

t o r i c a l matters f re q uent re ference i s made in the c om

“
me nta ry to H odgki n s I ta l y and H er I nvaders ( 2 n d
’ ”
.

“
Gibb o n s D ec l ine and
’
e di tion Cl arendon P ress
, ,
”
Fa l l o f the R oman Empi re ( edite d by J B Bury . .
,
“
Lon don Bu ry s H i sto ry o f the Later R om an
’

E mpi re ( Ma c Mi ll a n
” “
CO and The Cambri dge .
,

Medieva l H istory ( The Ma c M i l l a n Co N ew Y or k

”
.
,

The trans l ati on a l ready sepa rate l y pri nted ( Princeton

,

U niversity P ress 1 9 08 ) and thu s f ar the on l y existi ng

,

Eng l i s h version has been revi sed t h roug h out and a few
, ,

s l ight changes h ave been ma d e A s the L at i n text o f .

Mommsen i s avai l ab l e e l sewhe re i t i s n ot reprinted i n ,

thi s edition .

I desi re to make especia l acknow l edgment o f t h e many

he l pfu l c ri ti ci sms re ceived f rom D ean W est and to ex
p ress my gratitu de f or hi s constant and un fai l ing i nteres t
in thi s as i n a ll m y studie s i n t h e l ater Latin .

C H A R L ES C H R I S T OP H E R M I E R OW .

P r i n c e ton Un i v e rs i ty .
 CO N TE N T S

I . I N T R O DU CT I O N
I . Jo rdanes : H i s Li fe and W o rks H

Jo rdanes H
’
T he A ut h o r s N ame .
N
H i s Fami l y N
H i s N ationa l i ty m
H i s Position i n Li fe A
H i s Ecc l esi asti ca l Condi tion m
H i s Literary A ctivity HO

Wh e re the books w ere w ritten HH

D ate o f C ompositi on o f the R o m a n o

55 1 A D. . HN

O f the Ge ti ca 5 5 1 A D . H M
N ature o f the work H w
H i s O rigi na l i ty HA

Cassi odo rus S enato r H M

A im o f C assi odorus m
I

I
—

The A i m o f Jordanes HQ
Language and Sty l e HQ
2 . The Literary Sou rces used i n the Ge ti ca .
HO

A uthors mentioned :
Abl a bi u s HO

Cassiodorus N W
Cl audius Pto l e m aeu s NO
D e x i ppu s NO
Di o NG
Fabius wO
Josep h us wO
Livy mO
Lucan mO
P o m pe i u s Tr o gu s mO
P o m po n i u s Mel a wO
P r i s cu s mH
St rabo mN

wN

wN

ww
 C ON T E N T S

Further authori ti es used :

33
M arce l l inus 33
A c onti nuato r o f Am mi anu s
M arcel l inus
Ma rce l l inus Comes
P rosper
R u fin u s
S ol in u s
A geographi ca l map . .

3 . Ch rono l ogica l Tab l e

4 . Genea l ogica l Chart o f the A ma l i .

5 . Bib l i ography
6 . L iterary A nalysi s o f the Ge ti ca .

II . T H E O R I GI N A ND D EE D S OF THE
GO T H S 51

III . CO M M E N T A R Y 1 43
 I N T R O D U CT I O N
1 . J O R D AN E S : H I S L I F E A ND WO R KS
“
J o r d a n e s The author o f The O rigin an d D eeds o f
.

the Goths i s n ot a mode l o f l it era ry exce l l ence o r

”

origin al i ty H e te l l s us himsel f that he was an u m

.
1

l earned man be fo re hi s conve rs i on an d h i s w ri tings ,

fu ll y bea r o u t thi s statem ent H i s book i s main l y a .

compi l ati on not ve ry ca re fu ll y made ; h i s sty l e i s i rreg

,

u l ar ramb l i ng uneven and exhibi ts to a m arked de

, , ,

gree the t rai ts o f the deca dent crumb l ing l ater Lati n ,
.

Y et he i s impo rt ant as t h e e ar l i est Gothi c hi storian

.
’

whose work h as survi ved and he gives much i n fo rma ,

ti on i n regard to the Goths that is n owhere e l se recorded .

A c ross the scene he un fo l ds be fore us pass some o f

the greatest an d some o f the most t errib l e fi gures in
— —

“
h isto ry : At ti l a the H un the scou rge o f Go d t h e , ,
”

Vi sigot h Al ari c w h o thrice sacked the Eternal Ci ty ,

Gaiseri c t h e Vanda l and the great Theodori c S o fo r the .

matter i f not fo r the sty l e o f h is h i story o f t h e Goths

, ,

Jord anes deserves ca re fu l consi deration .

A nd there i s too a certain i rresi sti b l e c h a rm i n hi s

nai ve simp l ici ty H e i s s o c redu l ous and te ll s i n a ll sin
.
,

c e r i t y suc h marve ll ous ta l es o f the mig h ty ac h i evem ents

o f his peop l e that t h e reade r i s drawn to him by hi s very

,

l oya l ty and d evotion t o the de feated Gothi c race in whose

gre a tness he h a s so confident a be l ie f Fo r despite t h e .

’
fact that he i s fo ll owing c l o se l y i n another s f ootsteps
and i s giving at second h and practi ca ll y a l l the matters
o f fact he relat es hi s own simp l e trust fu l persona l i ty so
, ,

pervades the w h o l e w ork as to awa k en sympat hy fo r t h e

wri ter and his great ta l e o f the l ost cause .

‘
Ge ti c a L 26 6 .
2 J OR DA N E S I O RIGI N AND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

T h e Au t h o r
’
s Na m e . O f hi s l i fe l itt l e i s known apa rt
f rom t h e scant in fo rmati o n c onta ined in a few bri e f s e n
t e n ce s o f h i s own T h e ve ry s pe ll ing o f hi s name was
.

l ong a matter o f c ont r o versy and Jacob Gri mm ( fo l 2

,

l owed l ate r by D i etrich ) argued in f avo r of the form

3

J o rn a n de s whic h appears in the first printed editi ons o f

,

his wor k s But t h e aut h o ri ty fo r t h i s spe ll ing i s on l y

.

the s e cond c l ass o f manuscripts whi l e t h e name Jordanes ,

i s attested by the p rimary fami l y o f manuscripts and by

the o n l y anci ent aut h o r w h o m e n t i o n e s him t h e Ge o —

graphe r of R avenna .

H i s F am i l y
Jo rdanes was hi mse l f a Got h and h e l d
.
4

the o ffice o f secretary o r notary ( n o ta ri ns ) i n a nob l e

fami l y o f the Go thi c race H ere i s hi s own brie f but .

5
tang l ed account o f hi mse l f and h i s ancesto rs :
S cy r i v ero et
-

S ad aga r i i et c e r ti A l a n or mn c wn du ce
suo Con dac S cy th i a m m i n or e i n i nfe r i o r e mq n e
n o mi n e

M o es i a m a cc epe mn t cu i u s Can da ci s A l a n ov ii a m u t hi s
.

p a tr i s m e i ge ni t or P a ri a, i d es t m e n s a v ns , n o ta r i a s , q u o ns
'

qne Ca n da c i p s e vi v e r e i fu i t e i us q n e ge r m a n a e fil i o Gu n
, ,
-

th i ci s , q n i etB az a di c e ba tu r m a g m i l , fil i o A n da ges fil i
, . .

A n de l e de p r os a p i a Am a l om m de s c e n de n te ego i te m ,

q ua mv i s a gr a m a tns I or da n ni s a n te c o n v e rs i on e m m e am
n o ta r i u s

Fr o m t h i s passage i t appears that at t h e time o f A tti l a s ’

deat h ( 4 5 3 A D ) Ca n da c w as l eade r o f part o f t h e Al ani

. .

Ca n dac s si ste r w as t h e w i fe o f the O str o goth An dag

’

6
whom Jo rdanes m enti ons e l sew h ere as the s l ayer o f
Th e o do r id I i n t h e B att l e o f t h e Cata l aunian P l ai ns Thi s
'

’
Abh an dl u n ge n de r B e r l i n e r Ak a de m i e 1 846 , pp 1 -

59 Kl eine
S c h r i f t e n I I I 1 7 1 23 5 -
.

Ube r di e Au s s p r a c h e de s Go t h i s c h e n ( I 86 2 )
a
.

‘
Ge ti c a 1L X 3 1 6 .

L 2 66 .

XL 2 09 .
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 3

An da g was the son of A nde l a w h o w as desce nded f rom

the fami l y o f the A ma l i The son o f An da g and Ca n dac s
’
.

si ste r was Gu n t h i gi s ( o r B aza ) w h ose notary Jor dane s ,

was Paria the grand fathe r o f Jordanes had served

.
, ,

Ca n da c i n the same c apacit y I t w ou l d appea r f rom .

Mo mm sen s text that t h e n ame o f J ordanes fat h e r wa s

’ ’

A l a n ovi i a mi i th i s rFo r thi s l ong and unwi e l d l y w o rd

.

Erhard t suggested the readi ng A l a n om m du ci s t o be

7
,

ta k en i n appositi on w i t h Can da ci s The con j ectu re .

was reasonab l e enoug h ; the serious obj ection to i t i s

’
the unnatura l omi ssion o f hi s fat h er s name in a passage
where Jordanes i s avowed ly gi ving an account o f h i s
ancest r; y Gr i e n be rge r more p l ausib l y exp l ai ns the form
_
.
3

as A L A N D U I I A MU Th I S ; that i s t h e abbrevi atio n o f

. .
‘

A l a n o r n m di i ci s ( i n apposition with t h e preceding Ca n da

ci s ) fo ll owed by the name o f Jo rdanes father wh ic h ’
,

w ou l d t h u s be Uii a m u th ( Gothi c Ve i h a m é ths ) ‘

H i s Na ti o n a l i t y
T h i s Got h ic name acco rds a l so w i t h
.

t h e statement o f the aut h o r h imse l f as t o h i s nati o na l -

9 ’
ity and tend s t o overthrow Mommsen s theory that i n
,

re a l ity he be l onged to t h e tribe o f the Al ani l ike the ,

10
l eader w hom h e served N ot on l y i s t h i s an u n n e c e s .

sary ass umpti on but i f Jo rdanes be l onged to t h at tribe

,

h e mig h t we ll be expected t o menti on the f act exp l icit l y

i n the passage q uoted a bove I t i s di fficu l t to find i n the .

Ge ti ca any suc h prej udice i n favo r o f t he Al ani as

Mommsen mentions and Jo rdanes has ce rtain l y not ,

'
GOtt i n gi s c h e g e l e h r t e A n z e i ge n 1 7 pp 669 708 .
-
.

Di e V o r f a h r e n de s J o r dan e s Ge r m a n i a 34 pp 406 409

, .
-

’
LX 321 6 : n e e m e q ui s i n fa v or em g e n ti s pra e di c ta e q u a s i e x i p s a ,

tra h e n ti o ri gi n e in , a l i gn a a ddi di s s e cr e da t.

( Ube r di e K o n t r o v e r s e n F r ag e n i m L e b e n
1"
F ri e dri ch de s go t
i s c h en Ge s c h i c h t s ch r e i be r s J o r dan e s , S b ( 1 p h i l os p h i l o l u
’
. . .
-
. . hi st Kl . .

d K B Ak d W 1 9 07, 1 1 1 pp 3 79 442 ) c i t e s a n u m b e r o f i n
. . . . . . .
-

s t ance s o f l e a d e r s o f b a rb a r i a n t r i be s wh o s e s e c r e t a ri e s w e r e n o t

o f t h e s a m e ra c e a s t h e ms e l v e s .
4 J OR DA N E S I O R I GI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

avai l ed h imse l f o f t h e oppo rtuni ty here presented t o

g l ori fy Ca n da c as h e cou l d e as i l y have done i f he were
,

eager to b ring t h i s race into promine nce I t seems more .

reasonab l e there fore to ta k e his w o rds i n t h ei r simp l est

and most obvious meani ng when h e says that he traces
h i s descent fro m the race O f t h e Goths -
.

H i s P o s i t i o n i n L if e
T h e o ffice o f secretary i n mi l i .

tary l i fe was a position o f some d istinction and w as ,

11
o ften con ferred by l eaders up o n thei r e q ua l s ; i n t h i s case
t h e fact t h at Pari a the grand fat h er o f Jo rd anes had h e l d
, ,

a l i k e Office under Ca n da c gives added di stinction to t h e

secretaryship as an h onor per h aps h e red itary i n thi s fam
i l y The Gu n t h i gi s o r B aza whom J o rdanes served h as
.

12
been i dentified wi th some p l ausi bi l ity by Friedri c h wit h
Go digi s cl u s a l eade r o f t h e Got h s mentioned by P roco
,

13 14
pius and further w ith t h e B at z a o f Marce ll inus Comes
, ,

w h o w as i n 5 3 6 due: o f the Euphrates li m es and entrusted

’
wi t h the de fense o f the empi re s farthest f ronti er Fried .

ri c h argues that Jo rdanes must have resigned hi s o ffi ce -

be fore thi s yea r ( since he shows no i ntimate k now l e dge

o f A si a ) acting as secretary f or Gu n th i gi s on l y during
,

the time t hat h e was stationed in the Eu ropean part o f

the Eastern E mpi re an d acc o rdi n gl y t h at a consi derab l e ,
-

space o f time e l apsed between t h e resignati on o f h i s o ffice

11
See fo r exa m pl e A n o ny m u s
Ore s t e s P a n V a l e s i an u s 38 :

n on i u s e o t e mp o r e q ua n d o A t ti la i n , s e i l l i i u n xi t e t
I ta l i a m v e n i t,
e i u s n o ta r i a s fa c t u s fu e ra t : u n de pr o fe ci t e t u s q u e a d pa tr i c i a tus

di g n i ta te m pe r v e n i t .

‘2
o . c .

“
B e ll . P e rs . I 8 ( on t he y e a rs 502 I o bl ow xh os r e Ka i B éa a a s
‘ ‘

P 67 00c d u6pe s . C o mp a r e wi t h t h is t h e m e n t i o n o f n os tr i t e mpor i s

B ess a pat ri c a s
i by J o r dan e s i n th e s am e p a s s a ge ( L 26 5 266 -

) wit h
Gu n th i ci s m ag . mi l .

On t h e ye a r 536 :
1‘
l i mi t e m E i i ph/r a t e s i a e i n g r es s a n bi B a tz as ,

du x e os de m p a r ti m bl a n di t i i s p ar ti m di s tri c ti o n e pa c i fic a fovi t e t
i n hi a n te s be l l ar e r e pr es s i t .
 I N T R OD U C T I ON 5

and t h e w ri ting o f the Ge ti e a A t a ll events i t i s .

15

evi dent t h at Jo rdanes w ri ting i n 5 5 1 w as a n el der l y man , ,

when h e composed hi s histo ry : for hi s grand fat h er w as

a l mos t contemporary w ith the Batt l e o f the Cata l auni an
P l ai ns i n 4 5 1 j ust a centu ry be fore and h e h i mse l f h ad
— —

served th e son o f a man wh o h ad taken pa rt in the same

16
c o n fli c t .

H i s E c c l e s i a s t i c a l C o n d i ti o n
The wo rds a n te e on .

v e rs i on e m m e a m i n the passage q uoted above have occa

s i o n e d much di fference o f opini on w ith rega rd to the

’
author s status during the l atte r part o f hi s l i fe The '

p h rase h as been vari ous l y i nterp reted a s re fe rring to

17
conversion to C hri stiani ty conversion f rom A rianism to ,
‘

t h e Ni ce n e be l i e f
18 19
ent rance upon the monastic state , ,

o r mere l y a w i t h d rawa l f rom eve ry day activi ties i nto a

20
l i fe of meditati on and q uiet I t i s by no means meces .

sary to in fe r f rom these wo rds that Jordanes became a

21
monk as Mommsen s ought to prove
, for the expression ,

may j ust as wel l be understood to re fe r to entrance upon

22
t h e l i fe o f an ecc l esiasti c and Jordanes i s pr o bab l y to ,

‘5
In f u r th e r su pp o rt of wh i c h see t he l e tt e r t o V i gi l i u s p r e face d
t o t h e R o ma n a : m e l o ng o pe r te m p o r e d or mi e n t e m v es tr i s ta n de m
i n t e r r og a ti o n i bu s e x ci ta s ti s .

1"
S e e E rh a r dt , l c . .

1"
B e r gm ii l l e r , E i n i ge B e me r k u n ge n zu r La t i ni t at -
de s J o r dan e s .

P ro g r A u g s bu r g 1 903
. .

‘ 3
E be r t , Al lg e m e i n e -
Ge s c h i c h t e de r Li t e ra t u r de s Mi t t e l a l t e r s-

( L e i pz i g p 5 57 n 2 .
, . .

S o Mo mm s e n f o l l o wi n g Mu r a t o r i ( S cri pt or e s
1”
, r er u m I ta l i c a r n m
V ol . I ,
In su pp o r t of hi s v iew h e q u o t e s t h e p re f a c e
‘

of th e
de o r t h ogr a Ca s s i o do r u sp hi a of ( gr a mm L a t e d K e i l 7 ,
. . .

p os t c omm e n ta p s a l t e ri i u bi , c o n v ers i o n i s m eae tem p or e

p r i m u m s ta di u m l a bor is i m p e n di .

20
F r i e dr i c h , 0 c . . pp .
39 5 402,
-
feels co nvi n ce d t h at h e be c ame a

r e l i gi os a s .

21
Mo m m s en c l a i m e d f u r t h e r t h a t h e w ro t e i n a Mo e s i a n T h r ac i a n ,

o r I ll y r i a n Mo n a s t e r y ( I n t r o du c t i o n t o t h e Ge ti ca p i x a n d Mo m m .
,

s en s e di t i o n o f Ma rce l li n u s C o m e s p
’
.

22’
S e e S i m s o n , Ne u e s A rc h i v 22, pp .
74 1 -

74 3 ; P o p e Ge l a s i u s I
6 J ORD A N ES : O R I GI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

be i dentified wi th t h e B is h op J ordan es o f Cro t on a who

was w i t h Pope Vigi l ius in Constantinop l e i n t h e
yea r 5
Mommsen opposed the t h eory t h at Jordanes was a
bi shop asserting t h at h e became and remai ned a S imp l e
,

monk Y et the fi rst c l ass o f m anusc ripts ca ll s h im e p i s

.

c op u s
24
i n the tit l e o f the R om a no whi l e the thi rd c l ass , ,

i n the tit l e o f t h e Ge ti ca S peaks o f h im as B is h op o f ,

R avenna Th i s h e certain l y was not as Mu ratori

.
,

25
showed basing hi s proo f o n an extreme l y accu rate l i st
,

o f t h e a rc h bi s h ops o f R avenn a by R ubens Ughe ll i and ,

others Mo re o ve r w e find no trace o f Jo rdanes i n t h e

.

lives o f these pre l ates by Agn e l l u s w ho wrote i n t h e ,

ni nth centu ry unde r t h e Empero r Lotha r I I t is h a rd .

to be l ieve that he cou l d have esc aped t h e i nvestigations

o f Agn e l l u s pa rticu l ar l y as the chu rch at R avenna w as
,

SO ce l ebrated and abundant l y supp l i ed w it h reco rds .

26 ’
S imson s attempt to S how that Jo rdanes was pos sib l y a
bi shop o f A f ri ca was not ve ry success fu l and has f o und ,

few supporters But the re wa s a B i shop o f Cro t o n a

.

named Jordanes wh o was i n Constantinop l e wi t h P ope

Vigi l ius i n the yea r 5 5 1 and i t seems reasonab l y cer ,

tain that he i s i denti ca l wi th the aut h o r o f the Ge ti ca 27

.

W e find mention of B ishop Jordanes i n the document

( Thi el p .
37 0 ) s u b r e l i gi o s a e c o n v e rs i o n i s o bt e n t u v e l a d m o n as te ri o
s es e c on e r r e, f vel ad e c c l e s i a s t i cu m fa m u l a tu m i n di fl e r e n t e r
a dm i t ti .

S e e be l o w ( p 7
23
T h e r e wa s a l s o a J or da n es d efe n s or e c c l e
.

s in e R o ma na e i n 556 ( m e n t i o n e d by P o p e P e l agi u s i n h i s fi f t h
‘

l e t t e r t o t h e b i s h o p s o f Tu s c i a M a n s i 9 , ,
1"
So al s o S i g eb e r t of Ge m bl o u x , de s cr i pt . e c cl .
35 : I a r da n u s
e pi s c o pu sGo th or u m s cr i p s i t h i s t or i a m .

25
M u r a t o ri , S c r ipt or e s 1 , 1 89 .

2°
N A 22 7 4 1 7 47
. .
,
-
.

A m o n g t h e a dh e r e n t s t o t h i s t h e o ry
’7
a re B es sel l , Ca s s e l l , E r
ha r dt Gr i m m v o n Gu t s ch m i d M a n i t i u s
, , ,
‘

,
M ar t en s , S c hi r r e n an d

W a tt e n ba ch .
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 7

28
known a s t he D a m na ti o Tli e o d o ri i n whic h the Pope
says : n os cu m D ac i a M e di o l an e ns i P as c h as i a
A l e tr i n o a tq u e f I or dan e Cr o t on e ns i r a tr i bus et e p opi s
i s c

n os t r i s A S Bi shop o f Cro t o n a in B r u t t i u m Jo rdanes

.

wou l d have l ived n o t far f rom the monastery ( m o n as

te ri u m Vi v a ri e ns e ) to which Cassi odo r u s had reti red i n
hi s Ol d age H ere then i s the o n e p l ac e where he might
.

easi l y have obtained the twe l ve books o f the Gothic H is

29
t o ry o f C assi odo rus and h i s inabi l i ty to re fe r t o them
,

30
l ate r w h en he was actua ll y w ri ting his compi l ati on
wou l d be exp l ained by hi s absence i n Constant inop l e .

I t i s fu rthermo re probab l e that he w rote his work at

Constantinop l e because o f h i s evi dent ignorance o f the
l ate r and contemporary events i n I ta l y and his accu rate
k now l edge o f the t rend o f a ffai rs i n the Eastern Em
31
p i re H i s eu l o gy o f the Empe ro r Justinian and hi s
.

genera l Beli sarius i s a l so j ust w hat might be expected

f rom one who w r o te i n t h e vici nity o f the imperia l cou rt .

A nd fina ll y i t h as been pointed o u t t h at h i s wo rds to

Cas t a l i u s in the introducti on t o the Ge ti ca : s i q u i d p a ru m
di c tu m e s t e t tu u t v i ci n us ge n ti c om m e m o r as a dde a re
, , , ,

pecu l i ar l y app ropriate i f W e may suppose that hi s f riend

was a fe ll ow townsman o f h i s and l ived at Cro t on a whic h
-

was in c l ose contact with the Got h s but n o t actua ll y i n

t h ei r possession .

The fact that the R o m a no i s ded icated to a Vigi l iu s has .

made this theory sti l l more p l au sib l e and i t i s hard t o ,

avoi d the conc l usion that this Vigi l i us i s the Pope o f

32
that name Mommsen fo l l ows Ebert i n deny ing even
.

26’
Al c ta c o n ci l tom .
5 , p . 1314 ; M a ns i 9, p . 60 .

”
See
. be l o w (p .

Ge ti c a p r e f a c e
30
,
2 .

31
F r i e dri c h ( o c . . pp .
402
-

428 ) in s u p po rt
-
of h i s t h e o ry t h a t J or
dan e s wro t e in T h e s s a l o n i ca c ite s a rg u m e n t s wh i ch i n di c a t e an

e a s t e rn ra t h e r t h an a we s t e rn o r i gi n of t h e wo r k a nd wh i c h are

at l e as t e q u al l y a pp l i c abl e to Co n s t a n t i n o p l e .

82
Ge s c h i c h t e d . c h r i s tl i ch l at . Li t . I, pp .
5 56 562 -
8 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

the possibi l ity o f thi s and Fri edrich sti l l more S co rn fu l ly

,
.

33
rej ects the hypothesi s : thei r arguments are based on
both the fo rm and the c ontent o f the l etter to Vigi l ius
w h ich forms the i ntroduction to the R a m on a W i th re .

ga rd to the sa l utation n o bi l i s s i m e fr a t er and late r n ov i, ,

li s s i m e e t m a gn i fic e fr a t e r whi le it i s not indeed t h e , , ,

wa y i n whic h a s imp l e monk wou l d have add ressed the

pope yet a bi shop might perhaps use such expre ssi ons to
,

34
one who w as h is f riend A nd as Grimm has poi nted out .
, ,

these words o f greeting sound more respect fu l than the

fra te r Cas ta l i and fr a t e r cair i s s i m e i n the opening secti ons
o f the Ge ti ca 35
Even so fr a t e r c a r i s s i m e i s the very
.
,

sa l utati on used by Cyprian B i shop o f Carthage in a , ,

36
l etter to the R oman P ope Cornel ius i n the year 2 50
251 ,and again in 4 3 3 we find John B ishop o f A ntioch , ,

“ 37 ”
ad dressing Pope X ystus S imp l y as brothe r .

I t wi ll be remembered to o that Pope Vigi l ius he l d the

Office unde r t rying C i rcu m stances whi ch detracted f rom

s p ri c h t k ein B i s ch o f
aa
p .
43 3 : S o t Ori c ht ‘
O de r gar e in r Om i s c h e r
‘

de fe n s o r e c c l e s ia e z u e i n e m P ap s t . Oth e r s w h o
'
ag re e wi t h Mo mm
thi s p oi n t Te u ffe l 485 an d W e rn e r Die L a t i n i t at
'

sen oh a re ,
-

de r
Ge t i c a d e s J o r da n i s H a l l e 1 908 , .

K l e i n e r e S c h r i f t e n 3 pp 1 7 1 , .
-
23 5 .

35
F r i e d ri c h cl ai m s that no a rg u m e n t c an be b a s e d u p on a co m

p a r is o n of th e s al u t at i o n s of the s e t wo l e tt e r s b e c a u s e t h e i n t r o
du c t i o n of Ge ti ca i s !bo r r o w e d f r o m R u fi n u s a s s e rt i n g t h at
th e ,

even t h e wo r ds fr a t er Ca s ta l i m e re l y c o r r e s po n d t o t h e fr a t e r
H e r a c l i o f t h a t a u t h o r ! An d s i n ce m ag n ifie u s wa s a t i t l e o f r e s p e c t
be s t o we d u p o n t h e h o l d e r s o f c e r t a i n o ffi c e s o f i m p o rt a n c e h e ,

wo u l d s e e i n J o r da n e s Ca s t a l i u s an d V i gi li u s t h r e e m e n i n s e cu l a r
,

l i f e , p e rh a p s v e t e ra ns o f t h e i m p e r i a l a r m y Y e t F r i e dr i c h e l s e .

wh e r e c a l l s a t t e n t i o n t o t h e f ac t t h a t P o p e V i gi l i u s w as o f di s
t i n gu i s h e d a n c e s t r y a R o m an a n d t h e s o n o f a co n s u l w h i c h m i gh t
, ,

i n i t s e l f a c c o u n t fo r s u c h a t i t l e o f r e s p e c t a n d f u r t h e r t h e u s e ,

o f t h e w o r d fr a t e r i n b o t h l e tt e r s i s a s i gn i fi c a n t f a c t ; i t s u r e l y

s a v o r s m o r e o f e cc l e s i a s t i ca l t h an m i l i t a r y li f e .

“
I n E p i s t r o m a n po n ti f e d
. .Co n s t an t P a r i s 1 7 2 1 pp 1 25
. .
, , .
,

1 3 1, I 39 .

87
I bi d . p . 1 242 .
 I N T R OD U C T I ON 9

the digni ty usua l to the posi tion H e was made Pope at .

R ome i n 5 3 7 t h roug h the infl uence o f Belisariu s an d at

the re q uest o f the Emp ress Theodora who h oped t h at ,

he wou l d b e unorthodox I n 5 47 he was summoned t o .

Constanti nop l e because o f hi s re fusa l t o S ign the Three

Chapters issued by J ustinian I t was n o t unti l 5 54 t h at .

he final l y obtained permi ssion to return to I taly and ,

du ri ng the seven years o f h i s captivi ty fo r he was vi r —

t u a l l y a pri sone r in Constantinop l e h e was muc h perse —

cu t e d by the imperia l party and was twice comp e ll ed to ,

38
fl ee to a C hu rc h fo r sanctuary I t was i n Constantinop l e
-
.

and in 55 1 the very yea r when Jo rdanes was w rit ing the
,

R o m ana and Ge ti ca that Vigil i us i ssu ed t h e D a m n a ti o

,

Th e o d or i f rom which we have q uoted above a sentence

39
containing t h e name Jordanes .

Bearing these facts i n mind l et us now g l ance at t h e ,

dedicati o n o f the R om a n a to Vigil ius and see i f its con ,

tent i s such as to preclude i ts having been w ri tten to t h e

p ope o f that name Jo rdanes says that he i s sending the
.

universa l hi st o ry whi ch he h as j u st comp l eted i u nge ns e i

a li u a o r i gi n e Ge ti c e ge n ti s q u a m
'
v ol u m e n de a c tus q u e
-

i a m du du m c om m u n i a m i co Cas t a l i o e de di s s e m q u a ti nu s
'

di v e rs a r u m ge n ti u m ca l am i ta t e c o npe r ta a b o mn i e ru m n a
'

li be r u m t e fie r i ca p i a s e t a d de u m c o n v e r tas q u i
'

, es t v e r a

l i ber t as . l e ge n s e rg o u t r os q u e li be l l a s , s ci t o q u o d d il i
ge n ti m u n do s e mpe r n e c e s s i tas i m mi n e t tu . v e r o a u s cu l t a

I o h a n n e m a p os t ol a m , q u i a i t : ca r i s s i m i , n ol i t e di l e ger e
‘

m u n du m n eq u e e a que i n m u n do s unt .
q d
u i .
m u n du s tr a n
s i t e t c o n cu pi s c e n t i a e i us : qui -
a u te m fe ce r i t v o l u n ta t e m

dei m an e t i n a e t e rn u m
’

, . es toq u e to to c o r de di l i ge ns
de u m et pr oxi m u m ,
u t a di m pl e as l e ge m
-

et o r es pr o m e
n ov i l i s s i m e e t fr a t erm a gn i fic e
I f thi s as Mommsen wou l d have us be l ieve i s mere l y
, ,

a"
S e e V i gi l i u s E n cy c l i c a p .
55 Mi gn e .

S e e a bo v e ( p
8"
.
 I O J OR DA N E S Z O R IGI N AND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

an exhortati on to a f ri end bi dding him to fo ll ow h i s ,

own examp l e renounce the wo r l d and become a m on k

, , ,

“ ”
why S hou l d J ordanes a l ready address h im as brot h er
and ask fo r his prayers ? O n the contrary we can easi l y ,

understand these wo rds as an attempt on the pa rt Of

Jo rdanes to conso l e hi s distingui shed f ri end in t h e mi dst
o f hi s tri a l s and w e have seen that thi s pope h ad h i s
—

S hare o f cares and t ribu l ati ons by reca l ling to h i s mi nd —

the di saste rs t h at have ove rta k en men i n a l l ages and ,

by exhorting him anew to find f reedom f rom anxiety i n

t rusting God s purposes w h i l e he continues stead fast in
’

doing what he fee l s i s the divine wi ll and pe rsi sts i n ,

that love o f Go d and o f hi s neighbo r w h ich i s t h e fu l

‘

fi l l ing O f the l aw .

H is L i t e ra r y A c t i v i ty T h ere are t wo book s that

.

have come down unde r the name o f Jordanes O ne i s a .

compendium o f universa l h istory w h ich h e entit l ed D e ,

s u m m a t e m p o r u m v e l ori gi n e a c ti bu s q u e ge n ti s R om a n

o ru m. T h e ot h e r i s the abbreviati on o f the Got h i c H i s

tory o f Cassi odorus a l arge wor k o f twe l ve b o o ks w h ich
,

J ordanes reduced to t h e sma l l pamp hl et whic h a l one has

su rvived This l ike the origina l wo rk o f w h ich i t i s
.
,

an abri dgment i s entit l ed D e or i gi n e a c ti bus q u e Ge

,

tar u m . The terms R om a n a and Ge ti ca introduced by ,

M ommsen are most convenient fo r compendi o us re fe r

,

ence to t h e two wor k s .

AS we l earn f rom Jo rdanes h i m se l f i n the introducto ry

sections o f the Ge ti ca h e was engaged in the w ork o f ‘

“
the abb revi ation o f the Chroni c l es t h at i s h e was w ri t ,
”

ing t h e R om a na when h i s f ri end Ca s t a l i u s re q uested h im

,

to undertake the composi ti on o f the Got h i c H isto ry S o .

l ayi ng aside f or a time the work he h ad i n h and ( w h ich

was probab l y a l most comp l eted ) h e fi rst w rote and pub ,

l i s h e d the Ge ti c a and then returned to t h e R o ma no The .

12 J OR DA N E S I O RIGI N A ND D EED S OF T H E G OT H S

dwe ll i n M oesi a and w rote h is book s there j us t because h e

Sh ow s an i ntimate ac q uaintance w ith these regi ons In .

fact when J ordanes borrowed t h e wo rk o f Cassiodo rus

,
’
f rom hi s stewa rd ( di s p e ns a to r ) fo r a three days read
“
ing he m u st natural l y have l ived for the time at l east —

in t h e neighborhood o f where the book w as and w e k now ,

45
that Cassiodo rus l ived on l y in B ru t t i u m O f cou rse i t .

does not fo ll ow t hat Jord anes w rote i n the p l ace where

he rea d the book o f Cassi odorus fo r hi s o w n l anguage ,

indicates a c omposition considerably l ate r than the read

ing The weight o f evi dence is sti l l in f av or o f Constan
.

t i n Opl e rather than Moesia The very fact that h e ca ll s .

upo n the absent Ca s t a li u s to corrob orate hi s statements

“ ”
as a neighbor to the race seem s t o Sh ow that h e w rote
f rom the non Got h ic C onstantinop l e and not f rom
-

Moesia where remnants o f t h e Gothi c race were sti l l

,

dwe l ling i n thei r ancest ra l regions .

Da t e o f Com p o s i
t i o n o f t h e R o m an a 5 5 1 A D There , . .

can be l i tt l e doubt wi th regard to the date o f the c omp l eted

composition o f the R om a n a fo r Jordanes h imse l f says in ,

16
h i s introducti on that h e w rot e i t i n v i ce n s i/mo q u ar t o
‘

a nn o I us ti n i a n i i mpe ra t o r i s and agai n in the body o f t h e ,

47
wo rk we find thi s sentence : I u s ti n i a n us i mp e ra t or r egn a t
i am i u ba n te d o m i n o a nn XXI I I I The twen ty f ourt h year.
-

o f the reign o f Justi ni an i s the yea r beginning A pri l 1 ,

55 1 The content o f the wo r k is i n agreement w ith t h ese

.

statements o f t h e autho r for we find recorded t h e deat h ,

o f Ge rm a n u s whic h oc curred in the autumn o f 550 and

48

the bi rth o f hi s po sthumous s o n M ention i s l ikewi se .

“
made o f t h e dai ly ” 9
i ns ta n ti a B u lga r u m A n ti u m ,

“
Ge ti ca p re f a c e 2 .

45
S o W A i n Li t. . . Ce n t r a l bl at t 1 883 p . 1 060 .

“
R oma n o 4 .

"
R a mon a 3 63 .

“
R o ma no 3 83 .

‘9
R o m a no 3 88 .
 I N T R OD U CT I ON I 3

et that
S c l a vi n or u m
( i s thei r expedition into Thrace i n ,

50
a nd fi n a l l y o f the v ictory o f the Lombards over
the Gepi dae i n 5 5 1 O n the other h and there is no men .
,

ti on o f l ate r events .

Of t h e Ge t i c a , I f then J o rdanes w rote the A D . .

Ge ti ca a fter he had begun the R om a n o and pub l i shed i t

-

first w e m ay conc l ude that i t too was w ritten i n 55 1 I n

,
.

thi s work also we find the deat h o f Ge rm a n u s menti oned ,

whi l e there i s no reco rd o f events l ater than those r e

counted i n the R oma n o Furt h ermo re he S pea k s O f the -
.
,

p l ague q u od n os a n t e h os n or/e m a n u os e xpe r ti s a m us

5 1
.

52 ’
N ow thi s i s p r o bab l y t h e pesti l ence which a rose in E gypt
i n 5 4 1 reac h ed Byzantium i n O ctobe r 5 42 and the re
, ,

caused great deso l ation f or f ou r months and final l y in ,

5 3
4 devastated I ta l y S o t h i s too se rves to support. the
opinion that the Ge ti ca was w ritten i n 55 1 Jordanes .

says t o be su re i n the pre face to t h e R o m a na that he has

, ,

“
pub l i shed the Ge ti ca i a m du du m but t h i s expression ,
”

may readi l y i ndicate as sho rt an interva l as seve ra l

months .

Na t u r e of the W o rk
No w as a l ready seen Jordanes .
,

himsel f admits t h at the Ge ti ca i s mere l y an abri dgment

o f the h istory o f Cassiod o ru s Furt h ermo re h e c l ai ms .

that i n w ri ting i t he was ob l iged to re l y l argely upon hi s

memo ry as he di d not have the o rigina l wor k be fo re him
,

53
at the time H e says o f the twe l ve books o f the Gothi c
.

54 “
H i story : The words I reca l l not bu t t h e sense and the ,

deeds rel ated I t h in k I retai n enti re T o t h is I have added .

fi tting matters f rom some Greek and L atin h i st ories I . .

I“
3 86 , 38 7 ; P r o c o p i u s be l l p
’
R o m a na . Go t h 4.
, 25 . 63 8 .

‘1
Ge t i c a x i x 1 04 .

w
S e e Cl i n t o n s F a s t i fo r 542
’
-
.

“
( p 43 8 ) fl a t l y fus es “
F r i e dr i ch . re t o be l i e v e thi s s t at e m ent : Er
h at te sie ia i n W i rk l i c h k e i t
”
v or Sich .

“
Ge ti c a p r e face 2, 3 .
I 4 J OR DA N E S I O RI GI N AND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

have a l so put i n an int roducti on and a conc l usi on and ,

”
have i nserted m any things o f my o wn aut h orship .

H i s O ri gi n a l i t y
These a re statements hard t o bel i eve
. .

55
H i s introducti on as w e sha ll see
,
i s taken a l most wo rd ,

f o r w ord f rom R u fin u s A t the end o f the w ork i n re

.
,

l ating events not foun d in t h e wo rk o f Cassi o dorus he ,

make s use o f M arce l linus Comes as an authori ty wi t h out

once menti oning him though to be sure w e m u st credi t
—

h i m here wi th fi r s t ha nd q uotati on
-
Most o f th e s ixte en .

authors f rom w hom h e q uotes a s i f f rom persona l know l

edge were perhaps n ot known to him at a ll e xc e pt at
second hand fo r i n the R om an o w ri tten but a S ho rt
, ,

time be fore h e apparently knows nothing o f these sourc e s

, ,

even w h en re l ating t h e same events on whic h h e cites

them as authoriti es i n the Ge ti ca The i n ference i s that .

he has t aken ove r q uotati ons and re fe rences t o sources

“
di rect l y f rom the work o f Cassi odoru s A s to the many .

”
things o f my own aut h o rship w h ich Jo rdanes c l ai ms to
h ave inserted i t i s d i fficu l t indeed to l ocat e man y o f
,

these Momm s en goes so fa r as to be l ieve that a l most hi s

.

s o l e origina l contri buti on consi sts i n q uotations f rom

56 ’
O rosius at fi rst h and 1 The un fai rness o f Mommsen s
V i ew l ies in the fact that he overlooks t h e persona l tone

o f t h e sty l e o f Jo rdanes whi ch c o l o rs the enti re wor k

, ,

and that he minimi zes the evi dent j oining and fitting that
ha ve to be done t o connect the parts o f t h e narrative .

Perhaps Jo rdanes do es l i tt l e more than ho w i n and bow

out h i s authors as they ap pear and di sappear ; but thi s at
l east he d oes Mo reove r we mus t not underestima te o u r
.

i ndebtedness to thi s ecc l esi asti c whose compi l ed book h as

become p racti ca ll y t h e so l e aut h ori ty fo r muc h o f o u r
in formation about t h e Got h s and notab l y fo r the Batt l e ,

‘5
Li t e r ary S ou rc e s ( p .

“
S e e Li t e r a ry S o u r c e s ( p
l ‘
.
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 1 5
’
o f the Catalauni an P l ains ( 4 5 1 A D ) and A tti l a s mem . .

o r a bl e d e feat so fa r reaching i n i ts conse q uences

,
-
.

Ca s s i o d o r u s S e n a t o r Cassi odo rus

Senato r the great
.
,

statesman and man o f letters wh o was secretary b o th t o ,

Theodo ri c the Great an d to At h a l a r i c hi s gran dson and ,

successo r w rote hi s hi sto ry at the pe rs onal bi dding o f

,

Theodori c 5 7
I n i t ( as Cassiodorus himsel f says i n a
.

“
s peech
58
w ri tten fo r the young King At h a l a r i c ) he
carried hi s researches up to the very c rad l e O f the Gothi c
race gat he ring f rom the stores o f h i s l ea rning what even
,

hoa r anti q uity scarce remembered H e drew fo rth the .

kings o f th e Goths f rom the di m l urking p l ace o f ages -

restoring t o the A ma l l i ne the sp l endo r that t ru l y be l o nged

to i t and c l ear l y p r o ving that for seventeen gene ration s
,

A t h a l a r i c s ancestors had been kings Thus di d h e assign

’
.

a R oman origin to Gothi c hi sto ry weaving as i t we re into ,

o n e chap l et the flow ers which he had cu ll ed f rom the

’
pages o f wi de l y scattered authors .

“
At h a l a r i c continues i n h is a d
”
Consi der there f ore ,

“
d ress to the R oman senate what l ove he showed to y ou ,

i n prai sing us by h i s p roo f th at the nation o f y ou r s ov e r

,

e i gn has been f rom anti q uity a marvel l o u s peop l e ; so that

ye who f rom the days o f you r fore fathers h ave ever been
deemed nob l e are sti l l ruled by the anci ent progeny o f
,

”
k ings .

Th e Ai m of Ca s s i o d o r u s . H i s intention then w as to
reconc i l e the R omans to the rul e o f those whom they
regarded as barbarians by g l ori f ying the Gothic race i n
genera l tracing i ts hi story back i nto the di m past an d
,

b ringing it i nto c l ose contact w i th the great c l assi ca l na

tion s o f anti q ui ty and to exal t in pa rti cular the H ouse o f
,
1 6 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

the A ma l i a l ine o f kings f rom w h om Theodori c traced

,

h i s descent I n order to wi n fo r hi s race a p l ace i n the

.

remote past he i dentified the Goths w ith t h e Getae and

,

w i th the S cythi ans a very vague term whic h covered —

practical ly a ll the t ribes who had thei r homes east o f t h e

Vistu l a and D anube and n o rth o f the B l ack S ea A nd .

the A mazons according to hi s account were Got h ic , ,

women T h ough h e may h ave done t h i s in go od fait h

.
,

these a re mi staken i dentifications and acco rding l y w e ,

mus t rej ect as evi dence fo r true h i story the chapters that
59
dea l wi th these peop l es .

Th e A i m of
J o r d a n e s When Jo rdanes w rote hi s .

abridgment o f thi s great wo rk he rested hi s h ope for ,

the futu re o f t h e Gothi c race as much upon the R omans

as upon his own people I t is the uni o n o f t h e two races .

that he feel s sure wi ll bring peace and p rosperity to bot h

60
i n the days to come S O he re fers f re q uent l y t o the .

marriage o f Ma t h e s u e n t h a the Got h to Ge rm a n u s t h e

R oman and o f t h ei r young son Ge rm a n u s h e s ays :
,
61

“
T h i s union of the race o f the An i c i i wit h the stock o f
’
the A ma l i gives hope fu l p romi se by the Lord s favor , ,

”
to both peop l es .

S O i t i s evi dent that the Ge ti ca t h oug h p rimari l y a hi s ,

t o r i c al work natu ra ll y conc l udes s omewhat i n t h e manner

,

o f a po l iti ca l pamph l et port raying t h e reconci l ement o f ,

Got h and R oman under th e be n e fice n t ru l e o f Justinian .

61“
L a n gu a ge a n d S t y l e T o the student o f C l assica l
Lati n on l y t h e text o f Jo rdanes as exhibited i n Mo m m
,

H o dgk i n om i t s e n t i re l y ch a p t e rs V XI I I o f t h e Ge ti ca i n u s i n g
5°
-

J o rdan e s as a s ou rc e .

1"’
XI V 8 1 , X LV II I 25 1 , LX 314 .

‘1
LX 3 14 .

“a
Th e La ti n i ty of J o r da ne s h a s be e n i n v e s t i ga t e d by
'
WOl fll i n
( Ar c h f . . l . Lex . II ,
B e r gm ii w
l ler( Au gs bu rg an d mo s t
r ec e n t l y an d e x h a u s t i ve l y by F r i t z W e r n e r ( H a l le wh os e
s at i s f act o ry ex p o si t i o n I h av e f ol l o w e d .
 I N T R ODU C TI ON 1 7
’
sen s edi ti on appe ars uncouth and almost barba rous .

I nterc h ange o f vowe l s ounds gives ri se to such fo rms as

pa e n i tus ,
Gr e ci a
‘

,
e f d s t i
o e bi ,
i n a vi t h e l a r i ta te m
, pr u m ti s
'

s i m u m, E o ropa m . C onsonanta l c h anges are fu ll y as fre

q uent resu l ting i n su c h spe l l ings as
, l a c r i m a vi l i t e r
‘

,
A tr i
o ti ci , t ori cus , li a bu n da ns , Ca u c ha s u m
I n conse q uence ‘

s .

o f the omissi on o f fina l m the accu sative i s o ft en i denti ca l

i n form wit h the ab l ative a s m a n u m ov e ri t c o nfide n ti a , ,

a dde ba t, and some times -

um i s represented by —
0, as i n
D a n u bi o tr a ns m e a n t e s .

As rega rds i nfl ection t h ere are fourt h d e c l ensi on ,

wo rds now changed to t h e second ( l a co gr a dos ) and ,

-

conve rse l y ( i n m e ns u ) ; th i rd dec l ension adj ectives

c h anged to the s e cond dec l ensi on ( ac r i i n ge ni i ) and sec
o n d to thi rd ( m a gn a n i mi s ) There are ab l atives o f i .

stems i n e ( m a r e ) datives i n e ( t a l i h a s te ) and nouns

, ,

o rdinari l y i nflected now changed to i ndec l in ab l es ( a c or .

p u s , fo e d u s i n i t a ) T h ere a re a
. l so many chang es in

gende r as may be seen fr om s uch phrases a s l a e tus v ul

,
-
-

g u s ,i n g u s a n t e f a t u s q u o d d o l u s r e m i n i s c ens
,
I n matters .

o f conj ugati on w e find deponents that have become active

,

( r e m o r as s e ) and the reverse ( d i n gu e ce r t a t i) and -

,

f re q uent i nterchange o f conj ugati ons ( i n q u i r e t 3 rd ,

.

sing p res indi c

. . c o gn os c en t
.
, 3 rd pl u pres i ndi c
,
. . . .
,

)
a cc e r s i e n t e s

I n syntax the C hanges are no l ess marked Preposi .

ti ons occu r in combin a ti on wit h unexpected cases i n te r

D a n u bi u m M a r gu m q u e flu m i n i bus ; a P an n o n i os fin es -

di s ta ba t ; c u m m u l tas op es ; s i ne i p s os )
-
A mo ng ‘

ot h e r pecu l iariti es in t h e use o f cases the f o l l owing ex

amp l es may be cite d : o m n e m phy l os phi a m e m i n
-

s tr u xi t ; e q u o i ns i de ns ; i ps i u s u r bi s f e r r e s u bs i di u m , v i x
‘

bi e n n i o p ers e v e r a n t es ; Or es te m i n terfe c tu/ m ( accu

sative ab so l ute ) Verb c o nstructi o n s a re marked by
.

many c h anges o f vo ice m o od and tense : t h ere a re pres ,

I 8 J OR DA N E S Z O RIGI N AND D EED S OF T H E G OT H S

ent pa rticiples used l ike per fects ( egr es s i et

tr a ns e u n t es ) unusual infinitive combin ations ( q u i s

,

c e de r e fa ci e ba t - and i ndicativ e s i n indi rect

uesti ons d m u o m o do e xpl e vi t ) The use
q ( o ce a r us q
-

.
,

o f conj uncti ons i s l ikewi s e di stingui shed by many pee n

l i a r i t i e s such as the use o f q u i a and the i ndicative i n

,

indi rect di scourse a c on fusi on o f du m and cu m m ox

, ,

e q uiva l ent to s i n t u t a tq u e and a great vari ety i n condi

/
'

t i o n a l usage M oreover the p eri odi c structure has i n

.

l arge measu re d i sappeared C l auses and phrases whethe r .

o f princ i pa l or subordinat e character are l oosely swung

a long i n ca reless an d sometimes C lumsy s uccessi on n ot ,

i n f re q uent ly tangl ing the sense and at times making c l os e

translation impo s s i bl e -
.

Final l y there are many changes i n the mea n ings o f

,

wo rds and substitutions o f new wo rds fo r t h e fami l iar

,

expre s si ons o f cl assic a l Latin as : a mpl us gr a n di s and i m ,

'

m e ns us for m a gn u s ; p rop ri u s f or s u i ts ; ge r m a n us fo r
'

fr a t e r ; s ol a ci u m fo r a u xi l i u m ; ci vi ta s fo r u r bs We find '

al so p a tri a syn onym o us w ith t e r r a p e l aga s usu rping the ,

p l ace o f m ar e and p a rs and p l a ga used as e q u iva l ents fo r

,

r e gi o. There i s a f re q uent use o f abstracts and some ,

s pe c ifica l ly Chri stian phrases o f c ou rs e appea r i n the

wo rk of thi s ecclesi asti c Jo rdanes I S fond of ci rcum .

l o c u t i o n s and sententious utterances and h i s s t y l e i s at

-

,
~

times almost hopel ess l y con fusing I n seeki ng a c ause for .

these many and exaspe rating pecu l i ariti es o f form and ex

pressi on we must take acc ount n o t only o f the changing
,

l anguage i tsel f with i ts ma ny a l t e rations S i mi la r i n

,

natu re to the C ha nges in Western Latin gl i mmerings ,

whi ch p r e c e de d the dawn O f the R omance l anguages but

-

also o f the candi d con fession o f thi s Gothi c secretary to

whom Lati n was at best an imper fectly mastered fo reign
tongue : e go a gr a m a t u s I or da n n i s a n te c on v e rs i o

nem m eam fu t .
20 J OR DA N E S I O RIGI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

known to h ave b o rne thi s name ( whic h i s not an u n c o m

mon one ) and i t i s not even c l ear whether he was a Greek
, ,

a R oman or a Goth 66
U pon thi s meagre foundati o n o f
.

fact M o mmsen has bui l t up an e l aborate theory a s c ri b ,

ing to Abl a bi u s a ll the materia l in the Ge ti ca whic h com es

u l timately f rom narratives o f the Go t h s A cco rding to .

h is vi ew Ca ssiodoru s coul d hard l y have co l lected f rom the

l ips of the people suc h l egends and tradi tions as he was ,

busi ed hi s l i fe l ong with a ffai rs o f state and perhaps not ,

even ski ll ed i n the Gothi c tongue as he was a B ru t t i a n by ,

bi rth I n fact he undertakes to prove that Cassi odorus

.

67
condemned o ra l t radi ti on as a source i n saying :
n e c e o r u m fa bu l a s a li cu bi r e ppe r i m us s cr i pt as q u i e os
-

( the G ot h s ) di c u n t i n B r i t t a n i a i n s e r v i tu t e r e d a c t os

e t i n u n i u s c ab a l l i pr a e ti o a q u o da m e r e pt os a dding fu r ,

t h er : n os p o ti ns l e c t i o n i cr e di m u s q u a m fa bu l i s a n i l i bu s
' '

c on s e n ti m u s Con c l uding the re fo re that he used l iterary

.

sou rces enti rely Mommsen deci des that o f a ll the autho rs
,

mentioned by J o rdanes the on l y o n e to whom such l egends

can be att ribu ted i s A bl a bi u s H e regards thi s unknown .

w riter as the author O f a book on Gothi c H i story ( rather

than o f a R oman H is to ry mere l y contai ning re ferences
to the Goths ) and be l i eves that hi s work conc erned i tse l f
,

l arge l y w i t h the origins o f that race A nd since the t h i rd .

68
passage q uoted as fr o m Abl a bi u s seems really to be
f rom D e x i pp u s Mommsen makes t h e fu rthe r i n ference
,

that Greek t o o wa s beyond the att ainments o f Cass i odorus ,

and that most o f the re ferences to Gree k autho rs ( and

notab l y those to P ri s c u s ) are real ly q uoted throug h A b l a
69
bi u s . Mommsen be l i eved there fo re that Cassi odoru s , ,

Th e p a s s a ge a bo u t the H e ru l i ( XXI I I 1 17 ) m i gh t j u st as we l l
be de r i v e d f r o m a Gr e e k .
as f ro m a R o m an wr i t e r
"
V 38 .

68
S e e XXI I I 1 1 7, an d co m m e n t a r y .

“
To su pp o r t t h i s th e o r y M o m m s en p o i n t s out th at wh at i s s ai d
of V i di go i a (V 43 , XXXI V 1 78) i s u n do u bt e dl y de r i v e d f ro m the
s a me au t h o r a s th e Go t h i c l eg e n d s .
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 21

was indebted to t h i s Abl a bi u s fo r the greatest and most

va l uab l e pa rt o f h i s Got h ic H i sto ry i n c l uding the fi rst ,

pa rt o f the work that dea l s with the three abodes o f the

Goths 70
and among the passages derived f rom Abl a bi u s
,

he woul d i nclude X I 7 2 X I 6 9 I I I X I V X V I I , , , , ,

XXIII 1 1 6 .

71
S chi rren p resented s o m e strong obj ections to t h i s
high l y compli cated theory o f the importance o f Abl a bi u s .

H e j ust l y observes that Mommsen goes t o o far i n assign

ing to this Abl a bi u s practica ll y eve ry thing i n Jo rdanes
that goes bac k to o l d Gothi c traditi on i n spite o f the fact ,

t h at no definite statements can be made about the m an

o r hi s work I ndeed the re i s n o rea l proo f o f any speci fic
.

Gothi c t raditi on that can be attributed t o him and in the ,

passages that can be assigned w i th certainty t o Abl a bi u s

as a sou rce his know l edge i s on l y suc h as a Gree k w ri te r
’
might have had I n hi s rebutta l o f Mommsen s V i ew
.

Schi rren makes three main points :

( )
1 Mommsen states : o m n e s ( re ferring to the pas sages

i n whic h thi s autho r i s menti oned ) os t en du n t A bl a bi u m

e gi s s e de Go t h oru m ori gi n i bu s O n t h e contra ry in one .
,

o f the three instances we must rea d thi s meaning i nto

the passage and i n the other tw o w e cannot even do t h at

,

much .

( 2 ) Mommsen c l aims that Abl a bi u s deserves high p l ace

as an autho r because Jo rdanes speaks o f him as des c ri p t or
Go th o r u m ge n ti s egr e gi u s We might wi th e q ual right
.

h av e j udged Jo rdanes himse l f had his wo r k s been l ost , ,

by the re fe rence i n t h e anonymo us Geographe r o f R a

venna ( 4 1 4 ) I or da n i s Cos m ogr aph n s s u bti li n s e xpos u i t
, .

( 3 ) A s to t h e various passages c ited as probab l y a s c r ib

ab l e to Abl a bi u s some are thu s assigned arbitrari ly ( fo r
,

“’
V 3 8 42 -

. Mo m m s e n h e l d t h a t t hi s w a s p r ac t i ca l l y a t t r i bu t e d to
Abl ab i u s by th e s tat em e n t i n X I V 82 .

"
D e u t s c h e L i t e rat u rz e i tu n g 1 882 , N .
40, pp . 1 420 1 424
-
.
22 J OR DA N E S RIGI N
Z O A ND D EEDS OF T H E G OT H S

examp l e X I 6 9 an d X I
,
and s ome can even be de fi n
i t e l y re fe rred to anothe r w rite r So t h e s te m m a A m a
.

l o r u m i n X I V i s a l most certain l y t o be attributed to

Ca s siodorus w h o emphatica l l y C l ai ms i t as hi s own
,
.

S O that w h ereas M om m sen l aments the l ost H erodotu s

o f the Goths and woul d even favor changing t he reading
,

F a vi u s i n X X I X 1 5 1 to A bl abi us despite a l l the manu ,

scripts w e find t h at eve rything t h at may be c l ea r l y as

,

signed t o Abl a bi u s co rresponds w ith De x i ppu s and t h e ,

ot h er passages a re att ri buted to Abl abi u s on very doubt

’
ful grounds N ow rega rding Mommsen s a rgument f rom
.

the sentences found i n V 3 8 : n e c e or u m fa bu l as

c o n s e n ti m u s H e h o l ds as has been seen that thi s i s a
.
, ,

remar k made by Cassi odorus and that Cassio dorus cou l d ,

not have used any ora l Got h i c t radition but was i ndebted
to readi ng ( l e c ti on i ) fo r eve rything A s to the story .

’
about the ho rse whic h has c a l l ed fo rth the aut h or s d i s ap
,

p rova l M ommsen be l i eves Cassi odorus undoubted ly

,

f ound i t mentioned i n some author But the speaker .

express l y states that he now h ere found t h e story i n

w ritten form So i t must have come to him o ra l l y and
.
,

mo reover as a genera ll y known ta l e ( a s i s seen f rom the

use o f t h e p l ura l e o ru m ) C onse q uent l y Cassi odo rus
.

di d have some k now l edge O f Gothi c tradition and Mo m m ,

’
sen s theory based on the opp o s ite assumption fa ll s to
, ,

t h e ground Sc h i rren suggests t h at i t i s perhaps mo re

.

p l ausib l e to ascribe t hi s pass age di r e ct l y to Jordanes hi m

s e l f a V i ew made more proba b l e by the use o f the first
,

person r eppe r i mu s T h en the word l e c ti oni wou l d re fe r to

.

Cassiodorus whom Jo rdanes fo ll ow ed

, A s to t h e fab l e .

i tse l f it may h ave been a story n ot known to Cassiodorus

,

at a ll perhaps a goo d j oke to l d at Constantinop l e at

—

the expense o f the Go ths .

 I N T R OD U CT I ON 23

Ca s s i o d o r u s F l avius Magn u SW fi fl msg as s i o do ru s

.
72

Senato r ( abou t 48 7 ab o ut 58 3 ) o f B ru t t ii w a s one o f

—

the most eminent men o f h i s time and came o f di stin

g u i s h e d ancestors ; his grand fathe r had been t ribune and
n o t a r i u s unde r Va l entini an I I I wh o died in 4 5 5 ; h is ,

f ather fi l l ed the highest Offices under O doace r and T h eo

doric and was made pat ric i an by the l atte r H e himse l f
,
.

wa s q u ae s t or s a cri pa l a ti i short l y a fter 500 a fterward s

-

pat ri ci an and then i n t h e yea r 5 1 4 c o ns u l or di n a ri u s and

,

fina l ly m a gi s te r ofii ci or u m T h i s Office he seems to h ave .

h e l d for many yea rs ; at any rate h e he l d i t i n 5 2 6 when ,

Theod ori c died and hi s grandson At h a l a r i c succeeded to

the throne but he resigned i t w hen appointed p r a e fe c tus
,

p ra e t o r i a in 5 3 3 5 3 4 I n the yea r 5 3 4 when At h a l a ri c

-

.
,

died C assiodo rus delive red a pub l i c eul ogy o f h i s s uc

,

cessor Th e o da h a d and both unde r hi m and under V i t ige s

,

( who became k ing i n 5 3 6 ) he he l d the o ffice o f q u a e s t o r .

W hen the Goth s were ove rcome he forsook s ecula r l i fe

and became a monk I n the monaste ry he founded Ca s .

s i o do ru s w rot e a nu m ber o f theo l ogica l hi stori ca l an d ,

educationa l works a n d soug h t to i mp ress upon hi s monks

,
-

t h e va l ue o f the ancient l i teratu re Even a fter hi s nine ty .

t h i rd y ear he w rote a boo k o n o rthography and died ,

pro bab l y as l ate as h i s ninety fi ft h yea r -

.

O f hi s work on Gothi c hi story we l earn so l ely f rom

Jordanes and f rom C assiodo rus h i msel f The ear l iest .

mention he makes o f i t i s i n a l ette r w ritten i n 5 33 t o

H e w rites i n At h a l a r i c s name o f
73 ’
the senate o f R ome .

himse l f : te te n di t s e i n a n ti q u am pr os api a m n os tra m

l e c ti on e di s cens q u o d v i x m ai or u m n o ti ti a ca n a r e ti n e ba t .

i s te r e ges Go th o ru m l o n ga o bl i v i o n e c e l a t os l a ti bu l o v e tu
s ta ti s e du x i t . i s t e A m a l os cu m g e n e r i s s u i c l a r i ta t e r e s ti

F o r h i s l i fe M o mm s e n s I n t ro du c t i o n ( f r o m w h i c h t h i s a c
see
’

c ou n t i s t ak e n ) a n d H e rm an n U s en e r : F e s t s c h ri f t z u r P hil o
l o g e nv e r s a m m l u n g i n W i e s b a de n 1 87 7 p 66 o n w a r d ,
. .

'3
Va r 9 , . 25 .
24 J OR DA N E S Z O RIGI N AND DEED S OF T H E G OT H S

tu i t, ev i d e n t e r os t e n d e n s i n de ci m a m se pti ma m pro gen i e m

s ti r p em n os h a be r e r e gal e m . o r i gi n e m Go th i ca m h i s t o
r i am fe ci t es s e R o m a n a m col l i ge n s q u as i i n u na m c o r o n a m
r m e n fl ori du m q u o d per l i br o ru m c a mp os p a s s i m fu e r a t
ge

di s pe rs u m p d i t t m i n n os t r a l a u de
an te p en . e q u
era n u v os

di l e x e r i t, i i i i i i m d o cu i t ab a n ti q u i
q u v e s t r pr n c p s n a t o n e

m i r a bi l e m m a i or i bus s em n o bi l e s
ta t e -

,
u t, s i e u t f u i s ti s a p er
a es ti m a ti , i ta v os r e gu m a n ti q u a
p r oge n i es i mpe r a r e t .

W hen made p ra e fe c tu s pr ae t ori o and enteri ng upon hi s

“
o ffice he Wrote a l ette r to the senate i n w hic h he ma k es
menti on o f the l ine o f A ma l kings which is taken f rom ,

75
thi s wo rk and again he re fers to a passage i n hi s hi s
,
‘

76
to ry which Jordanes has epitomized Fina ll y i n t h e .
,

pre face to hi s Va r i a c apparently w ritten i n 5 3 8 hi s , ,

friends address him t h us : du o de c i m l i br i s Go th oru m hi s

t o r i a m de flo ra ti s p r os p e ri ta ti bu s c o n di di s ti : cu m ti bi i n
i l li s fu e r i t s e cu n du s e v e n tu s , q u i d a m bi gi s e t h o e c p ubl i c o
-

da r e , q ui i am c o g n os c e r i s di c e n di ti r oci n i a pos u i s s e ?
Moreove r i n the Co dex Ca r ol i r u h e ns i s edited by U se ‘

ne r we have p reserved the o r d o ge n e r i s Cas s i o dori oru m

77

e o r u m q u e q u i s cr i pt o res e x ti t e r i n t e x e or u m pr og e n i e v e l

q u i e ru di ti and f rom i t w e learn the fo l l owi ng : Ca s s i o

,

d o r us S e n a t o r vi r e r u di ti s s i m u s et m u l ti s di gn i ta ti bus
p oll e ns i u v e n is ad e o du m
p a tr i s Cas s i o d or i pa tr i ci i e t p r a e
f e c t i pr a e t o r i i c ons i l i ar i u s fi er e t e t l aru d es Th e o do r i c h i '

r e gi s Go t h oru m fa c u n di s s i m e r e c i t a s s e t a b e 0 q u a es t o r ,

e s t fa c t u s pa tri c i u s e t c o ns u l or di n a ri us pos tm o du m de
,
-

hi n c m a gi s t e r ofii ci o ru m e t pr a efu i s s e t f o r mu l as di c ti o n u m -

q u as i n XI I l i br i s o r di n a v i t e t v ar i or u m ti tu l u m s u pe rpo ,

sui t s c r i p s i t pr a e ci pi e n t e Tli e o d o r i c h o r e e h i s t o r i a m
.
g
Go t h i ca m o r i gi n e m et l o c a m o r es i n ( m o re s q u e X I I is
U s ene r l i br i s
’
s emendation ) a n n u n ti an s . U s e n e r be
“
Va r . II , 1 .

'5
Va r . 1 2, 20 .

7°
S e e Ge ti c a XXX 1 5 6 an d n o t e .

"
A n c e do t o n H a l de r i ; fo r f ul l ti tl e see p . 23 , n o t e 72 .
 I N T R ODU CT I ON 25

l i eved that the book f rom whi ch these exce rpts are mad e
h ad been w ri tten by Cassi odo rus i n : and that there
fo re the H i story o f t h e Goths mu st have been pub l i she d
be fore that date But Mommsen p o i nts out that thi s
.

very passage mentions his pra efe c tu r a pr a e t orii whic h h e -

-

Obtained i n 5 3 4 an d the pub l i cation o f the Va r i a e whi ch

, ,
‘

i s to be d ated about 5 3 8 Fu rthermo re in the very be .

,

ginning Cassi odo rus i s c a ll ed m on a ch us s er o us dei S o .

this f ragment i s evi dently from a boo k pub l i s hed a fter

Cassi odo rus b e came a monk o r e l s e ( as i s possi b l y the ,

case ) i t h as been add ed to by others But i t i s u n re a .

sonab l e to say that t h e part re l ating to the Va ri a e i s an

i nterpol ation and then t o make use o f thi s f ragment a s
evi dence to define the date o f the appearance o f the
Gothi c H i s tory I t seems enti re l y probab l e that the his
.

’
tory w a s begun at Theodori c s suggestion and a l l i ndica ,

tions p o int toward i ts publi cati on between 5 2 6 the yea r ,

O f T h eo dori c s death
’
an d 5 3 3 when i t i s mentioned i n
, ,

79
t h e l etter ci ted above M ommsen ca l l s attention to the
.

f act that Cassiodorus ( wh o was not spa ring o f se l f

p rai se ) mentions thi s wo rk on l y i n the l ast years o f hi s
o ffice Fu rthe rmore the statement apparently taken f rom
.
,

the hi story i tse l f that At h a l a r i c the successo r o f Theo

, ,

do ri c i s reigning as t he seventeenth in the succession

, ,

makes i t c l ea r that Cassiodoru s cou l d not h ave fini shed hi s

Gothi c H isto ry in Theodori c s l i fetime
’
.

The tit l e o f the Gothi c H i sto ry o f Cassi odorus was i n

a l l l ike l i hood the same as that given by J o rdanes to hi s

abridgment D e o ri gi n e a c ti bus q u e Ge ta r u m ; i t wa s di
,
80

v i de d into twe l ve books li k e most o f the othe r works o f

,

"8
M a i n l y be c au s e i t gi v e s t h e l i v e s of S ym m a c h u s an d B o e t hi u s
k
w i th o u t m a i n g any m en ti o n of t h e i r t ri al an d dc a t h .

'9
P a ge 1 5 '
.

80
Se e th e p a s s ag e f r o m Va r i a c q u o t e d o n p ag e 24 w i t h i ts
the
m en ti on o f o r i g i n e m Go t h i ca m a n d t h e p r e f a c e t o t h e Ge ti ca
,
I .

W h e n Cas s i o do r u s s p e ak s of th e w or k as h i s t or i a m h e i s re f e r ri ng
to i t s co n t e n t rath e r th an i t s t i tl e .
26 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEE D S OF T H E G OT H S

Cassi odorus and starting f rom the beginnings o f t h e

,

Gothi c ra ce ca rried on the account t o hi s own d ay per ,

g e n er a t i o n es r e g es q u e a s Jordanes s tates i n hi s own ,

pre face A side f rom making an epitome the autho r o f

.
,

the Ge ti ca c l aims that he has added to the work : a d q u os

:

e t ex n o n n u l li s hi s t or ii s Gr e ci s ac L a ti n i s a dde di c o n a c u

i e n ti a i n i ti u mfi n e mq u e e t pl u r a i n m e di a m e a di c ti o n e pe r

m i s c e ns A s regards the l atte r part o f the boo k t h i s

.

statement mu st o f c ou rse be true for Cassiodorus c l ose d

, , ,

h i s account wi th the year 5 2 6 But Mommsen i s l oat h to .

give any fu rther c redi t for o rigi na l i ty H e who l ly d i s .

c redits the statement that Jordanes has hi mse l f added

c o n v e n i e n ti a f rom vari ous Greek and L atin authors as ,

signing rathe r to Cassi odorus a ll t h at comes f rom P ri s cu s ,

bot h D i os Strabo and Pto l em a eus and u l timately re fe r

, ,

ri ng even thi s bac k t o Abl a bi u s and A mmianus Ma rce l

l inus H e conc edes to Jo rdanes as a pos sib l e pers ona l
.

contri bution at the begi nning o f t h e work q uotati ons f rom

O rosius at fi rst hand ( regarding thi s author as an autho r
i ty whom Cassio dorus di d n o t hold i n e speci al ly hig h
81
regard ) and even goes S O fa r as to admi t that perhaps
,

a ll the passages f rom O rosius throughout t h e Ge ti ca a re

q uoted by J ordanes and make u p the p l u m i n m e di o
82
.

Mommsen ex p resses sma ll con fidence in th e t ruth o f any

’
o f the auth o r s claims h owever remarking t h at Jordanes , ,

was not as h amed t o approp riate for hi s Ge ti c a an int ro

duction f rom R u fi n u s an d to pretend to give a q uotati on
f rom I a m bl i c h u s at the beginning o f the R o m a n a that ,

he might adorn hi s book by that di stinguished name .

8‘
In su ppo r t of th i s
h e q u ot e s f ro m I ns t . di v . l i tt . I 7 : Or os i u s
q u oq u e Cli r i s ti a n o r u m t em or u m p pa ga n o r u m q u e c o l l a t or p r a es to
v o bi s es t, s i e u m v o l u e r i ti s l eg e r e .

8“
But Mo m m s e n i s i n e rr o r, a s E r h a r dt fi r s t po in te d o u t, w h en h e
sa ys t hat Or o s i u s i s t h e o nl y au th o r re fe rre d to in t he Ge ti c a
w i t h t he a d di t i o n of th e n u m be r b o o k ; r e f e r e n c e s t o bo o k s
of the
a re f ou n d al so in 111 I 6 ( P t o l o m a e u s ) a n d XV 83 ( S y mm a c h u s ) .
28 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEE D S OF T H E G OT H S

admits that these very Mo e s o Thrac i an re ferences t o

87 -

whic h he cal l s S O much attention appeared a l so in Cassio

dorus and as Schi rren firs t observed there i s need o f a
, , ,

mo re convi ncing proo f than M ommsen has given t o

estab l ish t h e fact that i n Cassiodo rus the Gotho Mo e s i a n -

hi story stood i n a noti ceab l y di fferent proporti on to the

Gotho I tal i an than i s the case i n Jordanes
-

Fo r a fter a ll .
,

the Gotho I ta l i an hi story begi ns w i th The o do ri c and

—

what precedes must necessa rily have occupied a consi der

ab l e space i n Cassi odorus as i t does in the abri dgment o f
88
hi s work Mommsen i s un fai r i n hi s c h arges o f p l a
.

i a ri sm for in hi s borrowe d p re face Jordanes indicates

g , ,

in some measure at l east hi s indebtedness to R u fi n u s by ,

the words u t q u i da m a i t ; moreove r the author O f the

Ge ti ca shou l d be j udged by the standards o f hi s own age ,

’
i n whi ch such c ustomary open i nco rporati on o f anot h er s
w ri tings w a s not vi ewed as p l agi ari sm The accusati on .

that J ordanes has at t h e beginni ng o f hi s R om a n a used the

name o f I am bl i ch u s to add l ustre to hi s o wn work i n ,

pretending to q uote f rom him whi l e i n rea l ity putting fo r

ward hi s own i deas i s l ikew i se too severe a c ri ti ci sm ,
.

89
F r i e dr i ch makes c l ea r that Jo rd anes i s accrediti ng I am
bl ic h u s mere l y wi th the phrase a r m i s e t l e gi on s e x e r
c e n te s whi ch may wel l have been ci rcu l ated unde r h i s
,

name as i t i s q ui te i n acco rd with a passage f rom h i s

,

work .

90 ’
Erhardt whi l e agreeing i n the main w ith M ommsen s
,

views on the l itera ry sou rces and pointing out that these
conc l usions a re strengthened by a compa ris on o f t h e
R o m a n a wi th the Ge ti c a inasmuch as the former work ,

90 a
contai ns few ci tati ons because F l o ru s seldom re fers to
8"
I n t r o duc t i on XI I I .

8’
See al s o t h e i n t r o du c t i o n t o t h i s b o o k p
, . 15 .

"
Pp .
3 7 9 44 2 -

90
GOtt g e l An z. . . 1 886 , p . 669 .

f o l l o ws F l o ru s i n t h e R o ma n o .
 I N T R OD U C T I ON 29

h is authorities whi l e the l atter bri st l es w ith them since

,

Ca s s ro do ru s l oves to make a Sh ow O f l earned q uotati ons ,

w ou l d sti ll not go s o fa r as to say that Jo rdanes added

nothing O f his own H e thi nks that the q uotations f rom .

Symmachus rega rding Maximin and perhaps some o f t h e

geographi ca l digressi ons h ave been added by Jordanes
t o the account as found i n C ass iodorus .

Clau d i u s P t o l e m a e u s The geograp h er o f Al exan .

d ria or bi s t e r r a e di s cri pt or e gr egi u s a contempo rary o f

, ,

Ma rcus A u re l ius i s q uoted o n S c a n dz a i n I I I 1 6 1 9

,
-

D e xi p p u s
Thi s autho r who w rote i n Greek i n the
.
,

91
period be fore D ioc l etian i s ci ted i n rega rd to t h e march ,

o f the Va nda l s f rom the ocean to the R oman f ronti er .

92
Moreove r the passage about t h e H erul i which i s ,

credited to Abl a bi u s comes f rom D e x i ppu s Mommsen , .

be l i eve d that in bot h instances De x i ppu s was q uoted

throug h Abl a bi u s 93
.

Di o I n hi s description o f B ritai n J ordanes once

.
,

93
and e l sewhere makes use O f Di o
°

ci tes c e l e be r r i

m us s cri p t or a n n al i u m and l ate r re fe rs to him as an a u

'

94 95
t h o ri t y on R avenna and on the s iege O f O dessus He .

a l so praises h im as : D i o s t ori c u s e t a n ti q u i ta tu m di l i
96

ge n ti s s i m u s i n q u i s i t or q u i o p e ri s u o Ge ti c a ti tu l u m de di t
, ,

and again as D i o q u i h i s t ori a s ( Of t h e Goths ) an

97
,

n a l es q u e Gr e c o s ti l o com pos u i t
But b o th Cassi od o rus .

98
and S u i da s have erred in assigning to D i o Cassius t h e
’1
XXI I 1 1 3 .

“
XXII I 1 1 7 .

’3
See abo ve , p . 20 .

I I 14
’3 "
.

“
XXI X 1 51 .

95
X 65 .

"
IX 58 .

"
V 40 .

Al 6 Kda a ws 37 pm,“ P wua miyv

'
93 ‘
e r uai évédt a
‘
an! H epO LKoL, I
' ‘

.
30 J OR DA N E S I O RIGI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

work on the Getae contra ry to the testim ony O f P h i l os ,

t ra t u s
99
I t i s D i o Chrysostom ( b 40 A D ) who w rote
. . . .

the I c x f’
n a .

F a b iu s . I t seems impossib l e t o i denti fy thi s author ,

1 00
f rom whom part o f the descripti on o f R avenn a is
’
taken Mommsen s vi ew i s that Jo rdanes may have w ri t
.

ten Fabius whe re Cassiodo rus had named Abl abi u s .

J o s e ph u s The hi stori an o f the Jewi sh Wa r ( b 3 7

. .

an n a li u m r e l a t or v e ri s s i m us as he i s cal l ed i n ,

the Ge ti ca, i s re ferred t o i n I V 2 9 Cassi odo rus 1 01

re .

garded him as pa e n e s e cu n dus L i vi u s .

L iv y A S S y be l pointed out
. the apparent q u o ,
1 02

t a t i o n f rom Livy i n I I 1 0 rests i n rea l ity upon a passage

’
i n the A gricol a O f Taci tus where L i v y s name i s
menti oned .

L u c a n Lucan ( 3 9 6 5 A D ) p l u s s t or i c o q u a m p o e ta
.
-

. .
,

as Jordanes s ays accepting the j udgment O f former ,

c ri tics i s C i ted once i n V 4 3

, , .

P o m p e i u s T r o gu s
Th i s contemporary o f Livy i s .

now known chiefly through the epi tome o f hi s H i s t ori ae

P hi l i ppi ca e by Justinus Ac cording t o Gu t s c h m i d 1 03
.

Jordanes o r h i s authority Cassi odorus used not t h e epi ,

tome but the origina l work O f Tro gu s H e i s ci ted in

, .

V I 48 and X 6 1 and used a l so in V I I 5 0 and in V I I I

( see c o mmentary ) .

M e l a P o m po n i u s Me l a o f Ti n ge n t e ra
P om pon iu s .
,

i n Spain w rote u n der Ca l igu l a o r Cl audi us th ree books

,
-

Vi tpi I . so i .
, 7 p .
487 .

XXIX 1 5 1 .

1 01
I ns t . di v . l i tt . 17 .

D e fo n ti bu s l i br i I o r da n i s p 1 3 , . .

J a h n s J a h rb i ic h e r fii r c l a s s i s c h e P h i l o l ogi e ,
’
-

su
'
pp l . pp .

1 93 202
-

.
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 31

D e Ch or ogr aph i a the O l dest ext an t Lati n treati se on

,

geography H e i s ci ted i n I I I 1 6 and i s used a l so

.

wi t h n o menti on O f hi s name throug h out t h e who l e o f

I I and i n V 44 4 5 X I I 7 5 —
M ani tius ( N eues A rchiv
,
.

1 888 p 2 1 3 ) ca l l s attention to th e verba l rese m b l ance

,
.

between V 3 7 and Me l a 3 3 4 , .

P ri s c u s . I n the yea r 448 P r i s c u s a Th raci an f rom ,

t h e t own O f P an i u m acc ompanied M aximin t h e genera l

, ,

o f T h eodo s ius I I o n h i s ce l eb rated embassy t o A tti l a

, ,

and to hi s account o f thi s t ri p w e owe ou r detai l ed k now l

1 04
edge o f the great H un P r i s c u s i s cited i n X X I V 1 2 3
.
,

X XX I V 1 7 8 X X X V I 8 3 X L I I 2 2 2 X L I X 2 5 4 2 5 5
, , ,
-

and Mommsen a rgues f rom t h e agreement O f f ragments

o f P r i s cu s e l sewhere prese rved wi th the account o f Jo r
danes that the fo l l owing passages a l so come f ro m hi s
wo rk : X X I V I 2 6 X X X V I I 8 4 X L I I 2 2 3 X L I I I 2 2 5
, , , ,

and probab l y I I I 2 1 H e w o u l d al s o re fe r to the same

.

sou rce what Jo rdanes s ays Of the s ons O f A tti l a ( L 2 6 6 ,

L 11 1 2 7 2 an d compa re L I I
, remarking that i n the
Ge ti ca a l l the passages derived f rom P r i s cu s dea l wi t h
A tti l a and that converse l y there i s n o account O f A tti l a
,

which does not come f rom P ri s c u s A mong t h e exce rpts .

from thi s author three pa ssages appear to have been

,

added to f rom othe r sources :

( )
1 I n X L 2 0 9 whe re c redi t fo r the victo ry at t h e
,

Cata l auni an P l ains i s w rongfu l ly given t o the Goths ( as

a l so i n t h e c h ronic l e O f Cassi odorus ) .

( ) I n X L I I w h ere the account Pope Le s ’

2 2 2 3 , O f o
’
embassy to A tti l a i s increased by materi a l f rom P rosper s
chronic l e .

3 ) I n X X X V 1 8 1 concerning the mu rder O f B l eda

, ,

where t h e sententi ous s tatement at the c l ose li bra n t e ,

i u s ti ti a de t es ta bi l i r e m e di o cr e s ce ns d e fo r m e s e xi tus s u a e
“
H e w r o t e i n Gr e e k 3 l
1
pi B f w xij
, l d
ar o d av u a ra v Ka 7 . Ku r .

i n e i gh t boo k s .
32 J OR DA N E S Z O RIGI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

cr u de l i ta ti s i n v e n i t, i s not in accord wi t h t h e simp l e and

digni fied manner o f P ri sc u s .

Mommsen ca ll s particu l ar attenti on to the di fference i n

sty l e between the genera l c l umsi ness and di fficu l ty o f t h e
Ge ti ca and t h e smoothness and cha rm o f those passages
1 °5
w h i c h a re based upon P r i s c u s I n these are found .

accurate d escriptions o f t h e di stingui s h ing trai ts o f

1 06
various peop l es a l i f e l ike and trut h fu l p ortraya l o f
,
-

1 07
men ,
a k een and ca re fu l ana l ysi s o f the causes and
1 08
meanings O f variou s even ts and the use o f apt figures ,

1 09
o f speec h and compari sons Mommsen be l i eved t h at .

J ordanes was i mpressed by the beauty o f the narrative O f

P r i s cu s ( evi dent even in the version O f Cassi od orus ) an d
copi ed out these passages rather t h an c o ndensed them .

S t rab o Th e geographe r Gr e c oru m n o bi l i s s cr i p tor

.
,

( b 6 4 B C ) i s ci ted i n I I 1 2 concerning B ri tai n and i s

. .
,

e l sew h ere used as an authority on t h e s ame subj ect .

S y mm a c h u s Jordanes speaks O f t h e l i fe o f the Em

.

p e r o r Maximin recorded by a certain Symmachus i n

q u i n t o s u a e h i s t o ri a e l i br o
110
and t h ere seems to h ave ,

been a c ons u l or di na ri us O f that nam e i n 485 who w rote a

-

R oman hi sto ry i n s even books The passages preserve d .

by Jordanes co rrespond a l most word fo r wo rd wi t h t h e

l i fe O f Maxi mi n given in the S cri pt o r e s h i s to r i a e A u
gus ta e under the nam e o f Juli us Ca pi to l in us ; s o i t seems
t h at Symmac h us borrowed hi s acc ount f rom that wor k .

Ta ci t u s . Co r n e l i u s a n na l i u m s cr i
p t or i s C ited in I I 1 3
and used e l sew h ere on the same subj ect name l y B ritai n ,
.

S e e XXX V I 1 87 , XX X I X 202 , X LI X 257 .

“"
L 26 1 .

XXX V 1 82, XXX V I I I 200, X LI X 2 54 .

S e e t h e p a s s ag e s the n u mb e r At t il a XXX V
’
on of s s o l di e rs ,

1 82 ; t h e f u n e ra l py re , XL 213 ; H o no r i a ,
X LI I 22 4 .

1 0"
XX X V II I 200 ; XL 212

XV 83 , an d s e e 88 .
 I N T R ODU C T I ON 33

Manitius ( N eues A rchiv 1 8 88 p 2 1 3 ) sees a resemb l ance ,

.

between X 6 2 and the Germa ni a 3 6 ; a l so bet ween

XX X I V 1 7 6 and A nna l s 1 2 49 ,
.

“
V e r gi l The Mantuan . as Jordanes ca ll s him i s ,
”
,

q uoted i n I 9 V 40 and V I I 5 0 , A paraph rase O f a verse .

O f the A enei d i s found i n X X V I I 3 4 I n X X X V 1 8 2 is -

t h e expressi on li n c a tq u e i l l u c ci r cu m fe r e n s o cu l os remi u '

i sc e n t o f A enei d 4 3 6 3 To these Manitius ( N eues, .

A rchiv 1 888 p 2 1 4 ) wou l d add the fol l owing resem

, .

b l ances between t h e two authors : X X 1 08 and A enei d

9 4 5 0 ; X X I X I 50 and Geo rgics 1 48 2 ; X L I X 2 5 4 an d
, ,

A enei d 6 5 2 0 ; LV I 2 88 and A enei d I 2 49

, ,
.

Thi s comp l etes the l i st O f authori ti es actua l l y named

by Jo rdanes as sou rces A si de f rom these the re are .

severa l whom h e a l most certain l y made use o f wi thout

acknow l edging h i s indebtedness I t i s worth whil e to .

consi de r these al s o .

D i c t ys
Lucius S e pt i m i u s w rote in the second h a l f
.

o f the fourt h century w h at purported to be a Lati n ver

sion O f a Greek s tory O f the Troj an Wa r by a certain
D ictys O f C rete
’
Mommsen s opinion that the story O f
.
,

Te l ephus i n the Ge ti ca rests not on the Latin version O f

Di ctys but upon the l ost o rigina l i s rendered mo re p l ausi ,

b l e by the d iscovery o f part o f the Greek o rigina l i n

11

M a r c e l l i n u s A mm i anus Ma rce ll inus o f A ntioch

.

( about 3 3 0 400 ) w rote at R ome a continuati on o f Taci

-

tus H e h imse l f says that h i s wor k covered the pe ri od

.

f rom N erva to the d eat h o f Va l ens ( that i s 9 6 3 7 8 ,

-

m
S e e Gr e n f e l l , Go o ds p e e d Te bt u n i s P a py r i v o l I I
H unt and , .

N 268 Lo n don 1 9 07 Al s o D a r e s an d D i cty s N E Gr i ffin , Bal t i

.
,
.
,
. .

m o r e 1 907 ; I h m D e r Gr i e c hi s c h e u n d L at e i n i s c h e D i c t y s H e r m e s
, ,

1 909 1 22 ; Th e Gr e e k D i c t y s
,
-
Gr i fli n A m e ri c a n J o u rn a l o f P h i l
, ,

o l og y 29 . 3 29 .
34 J OR DA N E S Z O RIGI N AND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

but on l y books X I V XX XI are extant beginning with t h e -

l ast yea rs O f Constantius I I 3 5 3 Jord anes record s

some events o f R oman hi story O f thi s peri od in X XI V
1 26 1 27 1 28
,
I n X X V and X X V I he a l s o uses Am m i a
, .

nus ; not much to be su re fo r a fte r the vi ctori es O f

, ,

Cl audi us and A u reli an a l m o st to t h e time O f Valens the

Goths pe r l o n ga s a e cu l a s i l u e r u n t i mm o bi l e s 1 12
and ac ,

co r d i n gly Jordanes p asses di rectly f rom Constantine to

Valens Schi rren conj ectu red that such pa s sages as X V I

.

8 9 9 3 X V I I I 1 0 1 X X 1 09 an d X X I 1 1 1 1 1 2 pertain
-

, , , , ,

ing to the emperors f rom Phi l ip t o Constantine I a re

113
taken f rom the l os t parts O f the work O f A mmi anus .

The sto ry O f the wa r between the Goths and the

Gepi dae 114
and the accou nt given O f Ge be ri ch and o f
'

H e rm a n a r i c 1 15
does n o t seem to be taken f rom Am
116
mi anus fo r he s ays
,
t h at H e rm a n a r i c committed sui
ci de th rough fea r O f the H uns whi l e Jordanes te ll s O f ,

h i s murde r by the brothers S arus and Am m i u s Mommsen .

be l ieved that the passages in t h e Ge ti ca based on extant

p orti o n s O f A mmianus M arce ll inus r e vea l h ow Jordanes
( o r Cassiodorus ) perverts the records i n h i s zea l fo r the
Goths p ointing out as a notab l e i nstance o f thi s the a c
,

’
count O f F r i t i ge rn s escape i n X X V I 1 3 6 1 3 7 ( see -

commentary ) .

A Co n t i n u a t o rMar c e l l inu s of
I n M ommsen s opin .
’

i on S ome continuat o r has been made use O f between t h e

excerpts from A mmianus which end in X X V I 1 3 8 and , ,

th ose from P r i s c u s whic h begin in X X X I V ,

1"’
Am m i a n u s Ma r c e l l i n u s 3 1 , 5, 17 .

“3
See al s o n o te s on XV I 9 3 , X V I II 1 01 , 1 03 , XX 1 08 .

1“
X V II .

“5
XXI I XXI II , an d XXI V .

11"
I n 3 1 , 3, 2 .

Koep e k ( An f an ge p
117
d . K On i gt h u m S b e i d en Go th e n . s ug

g es t s E u n api u s -

.
36 J ORD A N E S R I G I N AN D D EE D S
: O OF T H E G OT H S

X X XI V the story o f L i t o ri u s i s taken ove r f rom

1 77
1 23
P rospe r consu l s and a ll
,
and i n X L I I 2 2 3 the account ,

’
o f P ope Leo s embassy to A tti l a i s f rom the same sou rce .

These passages must gO back to Cassi odorus fo r in the ,

R o m a n a there i s no t race o f P rosper .

R u fi n u s o f A q ui l ei a ( about 3 4 5 4 1 0 ) de
. R u fin u s -

voted h imse l f a l most exc l usive l y to the producti on o f

Lati n versions Of the w orks O f the Gree k patr i sti c w riters ,

and i t i s f rom one o f these t h at Jo rdanes borrowed h i s

1 24
pre face to the Ge ti c az -

S ol i nu s . t h e gramma ri an w h o l ived
C I u l i u s S ol in u s
.
, ,

p robab l y i n the time be fo re D ioc l etian composed a ,

C ol l e c ta n e a r e r u m m e m o r a bi l i u m based mai n l y o n ,

P l iny s N atu ra l H i story and containing a se l ecti on O f

’

the cu riosi ti es the rei n mentioned a rranged f rom a ge o ,

graphica l point O f vi ew W h i l e C assiodorus probab l y di d .

not make use O f thi s w rite r di rect l y yet certai n passages ,

in the Ge ti ca ( V 4 6 V I I 5 3 55 ) s o c l ose l y resemb l e the

,
-

Co ll e c ta n e a as to suggest the in ference that both w riters

d rew f rom a common sou rce .

A Ge o g r a ph i c a l M a p
’
Fina ll y it i s Mommsen s be l ie f .
,

that suc h geographi ca l passages as the descriptions o f

1 25 1 26 1 27
S cythia Pannoni a
,
the D anube S ca n dz a
,
1 28
the .
, .

mout h s O f the V i stu l a and the rive r Vagus 1 29

in which
, ,

p l aces a re port rayed as they w ou l d appear on a map a re ,

based upon an actua l map Even the l i st o f the is l ands .

1 39
O f the I ndian O cean i s given i n exact l y the same o rde r

S ee y
c o m m e n ta r on Li t o ri u s , XXXI V 1 77 .

S ee co mm e n t a ry on the p r e f a ce to t h e Ge t i c a .

“
V 30 .

12"
L 2 64 .

‘ 27
XI I 75 .

m
III 16 .

m
I II 17 .

m
l 6 .
 I N T R ODU CT I ON 37

as i n the work O f Ju l ius H o n Ori us who w rote f rom a map -

.

M ommsen wou l d ascribe t o a l ike sou rce five passages i n

w h ic h countries or t ri bes a re l oc ated with re ference to
l 31
t h e points o f the co m pa s s fl N ow t h e provinces the re
mentioned a re O f the time be f ore D i oc l etian and t h e ,

descriptions d o not ho l d good fo r the time O f Cassio

doru s o r Jo rdanes but f o r about the second centu ry
, ,

whereas the other names of l oc al ities an d races found i n

the Ge ti ca acco rd p roper l y w i th fi fth centu ry conditions .

I t wou l d be di ffic u l t howeve r to deci de w h ethe r Ca s

, ,

s i o do r u s actua ll y made use o f a map o f the wor l d as it

was i n the secon d centu ry or mere l y o f an epitome f rom

1 32
suc h a map l ike the extant b ooks o f Julius H onorius
,

1 33 l “
and the Geographe r o f R avenna A s Ca s s i o do r u s
.

speaks hig hl y O f this very Cos m ogr ap/i i a O f H onoriu s i t -

not un l ike l y t h at h e used i t per h aps i n ful l e r fo rm t h an

,

i t i s now k nown .

TO thes e Maniti u s ( N eues A rchiv 1 8 8 8 pp 2 1 3 2 1 4 ) , .

-

wou l d a d d the fo l lowing as possib l e sou rc es : Sa ll ust ,

Jugurt h a 6 0 1 an d 7 fo r X V I I 99 and 1 00 Caesa r B G

, , . .

8 2 7 fo r XX X I I 6 I ; M artianus Cape l l a 6 6 2 8 f or
, ,

X L I V 2 3 0 But there i s no evi dence that Jordanes read

.

o r used these wri ters .

m
Ga l i ci a X L I V 23 o P an n o n i a L 264 t h e V an da l s XXI I 1 1 4
, , ,

D ac i a X I I 74 S cy t h i a V 3 1 ( co m p a r e
,
m
T hi s wo r k a l t h o u gh da t i n g f r o m t h e st h c e n t u r y c o n t a i n s t h e
, ,

n a m e s t a k e n f r o m a m a p c o n s t r u c t e d ab ou t 3 60 A D . .

" 3
End of th e 7 th c e n tu r y .

I ns t di v
. . l i tt
. 25 .
 3 . C H R O NO L O GI CA L T ABL E

( Fo ll ow ing Gu t s c h m i d )
Jordanes says ( L X probab l y f ol l ow ing the fig
u res O f Cassi o do rus and a dding i n on hi s ow n account
t h e f ourteen years f rom t h e d eath O f Theodo ri c i n 5 2 6
to t h e capture O f V i t i ge s i n 540 that the Kingdom o f the ,

Goths endure d 2 03 0 years T h is s tatement assig n s the .

beginning o f the Got h i c Kingdom to the yea r 1 49 0 B C .

Gu t s c h mi d ( i n Mommsen s pre face X X X X I ) sou g h t

’
-

to exp l ain the c h rono l ogy as fo ll ows :

Five generati ons o f the fi rst kings o f the

Goths f rom Be rig to F i l i m e r son O f
,

Ga da r i c ( I V 2 5 X X I V about ,

1
1 6 7 yea rs . B C . . 1 49 0
—

1 2
3 4

2
Ta n a u s i s s h ort l y be fore t h e A mazons
,

( V I 47 VI I about 3 3 yea rs
, . 1 323
—

1 2 90

Three generati ons O f A maz ons ( Lam

peto and Ma rpe s i a Me n a l i ppe and H ip ,

po l yte Pent h esi l ea ) about 1 00 yea rs

, ,

VI I 1 2 89 —

1 1 90

From t h e T r o j an W a r o r the death of ,

Pent h esi l ea ( V I I I 5 7 ) or the d eath o f

1
T hi s y ea r
-
r e s ts on t h e t e s t im o n y of H e ro do tu s , 4, 7 : gr eat (th e
S c y t h i an s ) én e l r e 7 6 7 6m m r d a éurra vr a h éy ova r s i r/a t
. di r t) u p (67 01! Ba a ch éo s
Ta py tr dov £ 9
’
Aa pe l ov Oui fi aa w r iyv é1r l mpea s xt h l wv n kéw dhlxd T oa a fir a
'

H i e r o ny m u s a s s i gn s t h e b a tt l e of Ma r a t h o n t o th e ye a r of Abr ah am
1 5 25 BC .
49 2 .

2
Ta n a u s i s , a c on t e m p or a ry
V es osi s of or S e s o s t r i s r e ig n e d a c
,

co r di n g t o E u s e b i u s f r o m 1 3 7 4 1 3 1 9 B C -
. Ca s s i o do r u s h as a s s i gn e d
h i m a m o r e r e a s o n abl e da t e .

38
 I N T R OD U CT I ON 39

Eu rypy l us ( I X to the reign O f Cy

3
rus a l most 6 3 0 years ( X
, actua l ly
63 1 . 1 1 90 —

559

From Cy rus t o Sul l a 558 9 1

—

B u ru i s t a , king i n Su ll a s time ( XI ’
67 ) 90 57
-

King Com os i cu s ( X I 7 3 ) 56
—

23

The forty yea r reign o f Co ry l l u s ( X I I 7 3 )

-

t h e ti me O f Ti berius ( X I 6 8 ) B C . . 22 —

1 8 AD . .

I nte rva l Of one generation ( X I I I 7 6 ) 1 9 50

—

A m al i B a l t h ae

4
C apt King D o rpa n e u s time o f
D omi ti an ( X I I I 7 6 ) 51
—

83

H ulmul 84 -
1 1 7
A ugi s I I8 -
I 5 O

A ma l 1 5 1 —

1 83
H i s a rn i s 1 84 —
21 7
O s t r o go t h a N id ada 2 I8 —

2 50

H unuil O vi da ( King Cn i v a ? X V I I I 1 01 ) 25 1 —
2 83

A tha l H i l de r i t h 2 84 -

3 7 1

Ac h i u l f G e be r i c h
5
( X X I I I 1 3) 3 8 3 50
1 —

3
Thi s i s th e y e a r J o r dan e s m e an t , a l t h o ug h h e h a s i n dic a t e d t h e
l a st y e ar o f his r e i gn .

Ac c o r di n gl y bot h K i n g Do rp a n e u s an d t h e fi r s t o f t h e Am a l i
‘
,

wh o m J o r d an e s m e n t i o n s t o ge t h e r ( XII I l i v e d i n t h e r e i gn
Of Do m i t i an .

V an da l s i n P a n n o n i a ( XX I I
I’
C o n s t a n t i n e , wh o e s t a bl i s h e d th e
1 15 ) di e d i n 337 ; i f t h e V a n da l s l i v e d t h e r e fo r 70 y e a r s ( s o
Gu t s c h m i d w o u l d e m e n d i n p l ac e o f L X ) t h e y w e n t o ff i n t o Gau l
,

i n 406 .T h u s t h e v i ct o ry o f Geb e ri ch o v e r t h e V a n dal s o cc u rr e d

i n 3 36 , a pp ro xim a t e l y .
4O J OR DA N E S I ORIGI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

H e rm a n a r i c 351
—

3 76
V i n i t h a ri u s
H u n im u n d
Th o r i s m u d
year i nterregnum ( X LV I I I 25 I ?
40 40 5 4 44
- —

Va l ami r 44 5
P

Thi u di m e r
T h eodori c 47
At h a l a r i c 52 6 534
—

Th e o da h a d 5 3 53
4 6 —

V i t i ge s 5 3 6 540
—

Y ears Of the reign o f t h e Go m amount t o

1 49 0 5 40 2 03 0 ( L X

K I N GS O TH E V I S I GO T H S s ti fl e
.» 3]
Al ari c I 395 41 0
—

At h av u l f 41 0
-

41 5
S e ge r i c 41 5
Va l i a 41 5 4 1—

9
Th e o do r i d I
Th o r i s m u d 451
—

4 53
Th e o do r i d I I 4 5 3 4 66
—

Euri ch
F r i de r i ch
R e t em e r B rothers the t h ree p receding
H i m n e ri th
Al ari c I I 48 5 5 07
—

A m a l a ri c 507 5 3 1
é

Th i u di s 5 3 1 5 48
-

Th i u d ig i s cl u s $ 48
A gi l 5 49 55 4
-

At h a n a gil d 5 54 56 7
—
 5 . B I BL I O GR A P H Y 1

1 .Manuscript Sources o f the Text .

Fo r a detai l ed account O f the m anuscript sources O f the

text see M ommsen s di scussi on i n the M on u m e n ta
,
’

Ge r m an i a e H i s t or i ca V I pp X L I V L X X Fo r a l ater ,
.
-
.

di scussi on see the arti c l e I or da n es i n a fo rthcoming

volume o f t he Pau l y W i s s o wa R e a l E n cy cl opadi e
'

-
.

2
2 .Ed itions .

H old er A : I or da n i s D e o rigine ac t i bu s q u e Ge t a ru m
, .
, .

Frei bu rg I B und Tii bi n ge n 1 88 2 Wi thout critica l

. . .

a ppa rat u s o r com me ntary and fu ll y supersed ed by ,

M omm sen s editi on ’

.

Mommsen Th : I o r da n i s R omana e t Getica

,
M onu
. .

menta Germaniac H i s t o r i ca A uctores An t i q u i s s i m i ,

V 1 B er l in 1 88 2 The authori tative edition

,
. .

3 . Trans l ati ons .

Jordan J : Jo rdanes Leben un d S chri ften nebst P robe

, .

eine r deutschen U e be r s e t z u n g seiner Geschichte P r ogr . .

A nsbach I 8 43 Contains a t rans l ation o f C h apters 1 4 .

-

and 2 4 2 7 made a s samp l es

-

,
.

M artens W : Jordanes Go th e n ge s ch i ch t e nebst A us

, .
‘

z ii
ge n aus seine r R Om i s c h e n Gesc h ichte L eipzig 1 88 3 . .

( G e s c h i c h t s c h r e i b e r d e r deutschen Vo rzei t V o l .

’
The t rans l ati on i s based on Mommsen s text but c o n ,

tains many in accu raci es and mistak es .

S a v a gn e r M A : , J o rn a n des de l a succession des

. .

’
royaumes e t des temps e t de l o r i gi n e e t des actes des ,

Goths Pa ri s 1 8 4 2 . A fai th fu l renderi ng O f an o l de r .

text i n the mai n that o f Mu ratori

,

1
T h i s bi bl i og r aph y do e s n ot gi v e re f e r e n c e s t o s u ch g e n e ral
wo r ks as th e h i s to ri e s of l i t e ra t u re by Eb e r t M a n i t i u s a n d Te u ffe l
, ,

W a t t e nb a ch ’
s Ge s c h i c h t s q u e l l e n , o r s i m i l ar ge n e ra l s ou rc e bo o ks .

1’
Mo mm s e n r e co r ds nine teen e di t i o n s t h at p r e c e de d his o wn ,

al l now of l i ttl e v al u e .

42
44 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N A N D D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

Mani tius M : Z u Ek k ehard und Jordanes i n N eues

,
.
,

A rc h iv der Gese l l scha ft fii r al tere deutsche Ge s chi ch t s

kunde I 8 88 ( 1 3 ) pp 2 1 3 2 1 4 .
-

Manitius M : Geschi cht l i ches aus mitte l a l ter l i chen Bib

,
.

l i o t h e ks k a t a l o ge n : I o r da n i s i n N eues A rc h iv 1 9 07 ,

( 3 2 ) pp 6 5 1 6 5 2 .
-

Manitius M : R evi ew o f B e rgm ii l l e r i n W ochenschri ft

,
.
,

fii r K l assisc h e P h i l o l ogi e 1 9 03 N 44 pp 1 2 04 1 2 07 . .

-
.

Maniti us M : R evi ew o f B e rgm ii ll e r i n B l atte r fii r das

'

,
.
,

Gymnasia l Schu l wesen he rausgegeben vom bayer -

.

Gy m n a s i a l s ch u l we s e n 1 9 04 I /I I pp 9 4 9 5 .
-
.

M artens W : R eview O f Mommsen and H o l de r i n Li t

, .
,

e ra t u rbl a tt fii r germani sche und romani sche Phi l o l ogi e

1 8 8 3 N 3 pp 8 5 8 7 . .
-

S c h i rren C : d e rati one q uae inte r I o r dan e m e t Cassi o

, .

do ri u m i n t e r ce da t co m m e n t a t i o D orpat I 8 5 8 . .

S chi rren C : R evi ew O f Mommsen and H o l der in

, .
,

D eutsche Li teratu rzeitung 1 882 N 4 0 pp 1 4 2 0 1 4 2 4 . .

—

Simson B v : Z u J o r da n i s in Neues A rchiv 1 8 9 7 ( 2 2 )

,
. .
,
-

PP 7 4 1 7 47
-
.

S y be l , H . v . : de fo n t i bu s l ibri I o r da n i s D e origi ne
act u q u e B er l in 1 8 3 8Ge t a r u m . .

S y be l H v : R eview o f K op k e and S chi rren in H i s

, . .
,

t o r i s c h e Z eitsc h ri ft 1 8 59 N 2 pp 5 1 1 5 1 6 . .
—
.

U s e n e r H : An e c do t o n H o l de r i Festschri ft zu r Phi l o
,
.
,

l oge n v e r s a m m l u n g in W i esbaden 1 8 77 .

W eis e ,
R eview O f B e rgm ii l l e r i n N eue P h i l o l ogi sc h e ,

R undsc h au 1 9 04 N 2 3 pp 5 3 9 5 40 . .
-
.

W erne r F : Di e L a t i n i t at der Getica des J o rdan i s

'

, . .

H a ll e 1 9 08 .

W Offli n E : Z u r L arti n i t at des Jo rdanes i n A rc h iv fii r

.
,

Lateini sche Lexi cograp h ie und Grammati k X I pp 3 6 1 .

3 6 8 .Lei pzig 1 9 00 .
 6 . L I TE R A R Y A NA L Y S I S O F T H E GE TI CA
[ Th e A r abi c n u mbe rs , p rin t e d i n t h e L i t e r a r y A n a l y s i s b e l o w an d
in t he m a r gi n of th e E ng l i s h v e r s i o n , c o r r e s p o n d t o t h e Ar abi c
n u mb e r s wh i c h m a r k the s e ct i on s in Mo m m s e n ’
s t e xt .
]

Pre face 1 -

I Ge o grap h i ca l I ntroducti on 4
- —
24

O cean 4 5 -

The E aste rn I s l ands 6

The W estern I s l ands 7 -
24

Lesser I s l ands 7 8 -

B ritain 1 0 1 5 -

S can dz a 9 ,
1 6 -
24

I I The U ni ted Goths 25 1 -

30
I . Migrati on o f the Got hs under t h ei r fi rst k ing ,

B erig f rom S c a n dz a to Go t hi s c a n dz a and

,

thence t o the l and O f the U l m e r u gi 2 5 2 6 -

M igration to Scythia und er F i l i m e r 2 7 2 9 -

[ D esc ription O f Scythi a 3 0 3 7 ] -

The three successive abodes o f the Goths 3 8 42 -

I n Scy thi a near Lake Ma e o t i s

I n M oesia Thrace and D aci a ,

I n Scyt h i a again above the S ea O f Pontu s ,

.

[ Thei r a rchery an d h e roes 4 3 ]

2 . The Goths i n S cythi a near L ake Mae o t i s 4 4 5 7 ,
—

Exp l oits O f King Ta n a u s i s 4 4 48 -

[ D escripti on O f the D on and D niepe r

4 5 46 ]
-

The Scyt h i an A mazons in A sia M ino r 49 5 7 -

[ D esc ription o f the C aucasu s 5 55]

2 -

47
48 J ORD A N E S I O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

3 . The Goths i n M oesia Thrace and ,

D acia 5 7 8 1 -

Te l e fu s and Eu rypy l u s : t h e T roj an W a r

5 8 6 0-

Q ueen Tomy ri s de feats C yrus 6 1 62 -

King An ty ru s de feats D ari us 6 3 6 4 —

Q ueen Gu dil a s daughter becomes the wi fe

’

O f Phi l ip O f Macedon 6 5

S i t a l c e s con q uers P e r di ccas 66

King B u ru i s t a The w ise rul e o f D i c i n e u s
.
,

a contemporary O f Su l la 6 7 6 9 7 2 ,
-

The Got hs i n the time o f Caesa r A ugustus ,

and Ti beri us 6 8
Kings Co m o s i cu s and Co ry l l u s 7 3
[ D escription O f D aci a and the D anube
7 47 5 ]
King D o rpa n e u s wa rs with D omi tian 7 6 7 8 -

[ Genea l ogy O f the A ma l i 7 8 8 1 ] -

4 . The Goths agai n i n Scythia bey ond the S ea —

o f Pontus 8 2 1 3 0 -

Maximin t h e Goth a R oman Empero r

, ,

8 3 88
-

King Os t ro go t h a wars w it h P h i l ip 8 9 9 2 -

[ D escri ption o f M a rc i a n o pl e 9 3 ]

The Gepid ae and thei r de feat at the h an ds o f

Os t r o go t h a 9 4 -
1 00

Ki ng Cu iva at wa r wi th D ecius I O I 1 03 -

The Got h s i n the time Of Ga ll u s V o l u s i a nu s ,

and Ae m i l i a n u s 1 04 1 06 -

The Goths p l under A si a M ino r i n the reign

O f Ga ll i enus 1 0 7 1 09 -

[ D esc riptive re ferences to Ch a l cedon ,

I l ium and A n c h i a l i 1 0 7 1 09 ] -

D eeds O f the Got hs i n the times o f B i o cl e

ti an and hi s co ll eagues 1 1 0
The Goths under A r i a r i c and Ao ri c i n the
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 49

time o f Constantine I King Ge be r i c h con .

q uers the Vandal s 1 1 1 1 15 .

-

King H e rm a n a ri c con q uers the H eru l i V e ,

n e t h i and Ae s t i 1 1 6 1 2 0 -

[ O rigin and history O f the H uns 1 2 1 1 2 8 ] -

Battle O f H e rm a n a r i c with the H uns H i s .

death The Goths separate i nto Visigoths

.

and O st rogoths 1 2 9 1 3 0 .
-

I I I The D i vi ded Goths I 3 I 3 1 4 -

I . The Vi sigoths I 3 I 2 4 5 -

F r i t i ge rn wi th the Vi sigoths enters Thrace

and the two Moesi as 1 3 1 1 3 7 -

They de feat and s l ay the Emperor Va l ens

1 3 8
King At h a n a r i c makes peace wi th Gratian
and Theodosius I D ies at C onstantinop l e
.

I 39 1 44
'

The Vi sigoths serving unde r Theod osius

, ,

con q u e r the usu rper Eugeniu s I 4 5

D eeds o f Al ari c I i n the t ime O f A rcadius
and H onori us H i s death 1 46 1 58
.
-

[ D escription O f R avenna 1 48 1 5 1 ] -

D eeds and death o f King At h a v u l f 1 5 9 1 6 3 -

King S e ge r i c I 6 3
D eeds O f King Va l ia 1 6 4 1 7 5 -

[ D i gre s s i o n z The Kingdom o f t h e Van

da l s 1 6 6 1 7 3 ] -

[ D i gr e s s i o n z M igration O f the A ma l i to
the Vi sigoths 1 7 4 1 7 5 ] -

Fi rst b reach between Ki ng Th e o dor i d I and

the R omans 1 7 6 1 7 7 -

[ Cha racter O f A tti l a the H un 1 7 8 1 8 3 ] -

League o f the Vi sigoths and R omans against

A tti l a 1 8 4 1 9 1-
50 J ORD AN ES : O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF T H E GOTH S

Batt l e o f the C atalaunian P l ains . D eat h of

Th e o do r i d I 1 9 2 2-
1 7
D eeds and death O f Th o r i s m u d
C ontinua .

tion o f A tti l a s ca ree r 2 1 8 2 2 8

’
-

Ki ng Th e o do ri d I I 2 2 9 2 3 4 -

King Eu rich 2 3 5 2 44 -

The Weste rn Empi re f r o m the death o f V a

l e n t i n i a n I I I to R omu l us A u gu s t u l u s th e ,

l a st Western Emperor 2 3 5 2 4 1 -

The rul e O f O doacer 2 4 2 2 4 3 —

Al ari c I I l ast King O f the Vi sigoths 2 4 5

,

2 . The O strogoths 3 4
1 2 46 -

Ki ng V i n i t h a r i u s con q uers the A ntes an d i s

con q uered by the H uns 2 46 2 49 -

King H u n i m u n d 2 50
King Th o ri s m u d 2 50
I nterregnum O f fo rty yea rs 2 5 1
King Val ami r 2 52 2 7 6 -

D eath O f A ttil a and dissolution O f the King

dom O f the H uns 2 5 4 2 6 3 -

H omes o f the Goths al ong the Lowe r D a n

ube 2 6 4 2 66 -

The Gothi c o rigin o f the autho r J ordanes ,

2 66

The Lesse r Goths 2 6 7

The O st rogoths i n Pannoni a 268 2 7 6 -

King Th i u di m e r Sei zu re . of Macedoni a

2 7 7 2 88
-

King Theodo ri c the Great and the King ,

dom O f the O strogoths i n I ta l y 2 89 3 04 -

King At h a l a r i c Am a l a s u e n t h a 3 0 5 3 06
.
-

The O strogoths overcome by the Empero r

Justinian 3 0 7 3 1 4 -

I V Conclusion 3 1 5 3 1 6 -
 52 J ORDA N E S I O RI G I N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

Geographi ca l I ntroducti on

I O ur ancestors as O rosius re l ates were o f Opinion

, ,

that the ci rc l e o f the w ho l e w o r l d was su rrounded

by the gi rd l e o f O cean o n three S i des I ts three part s .

they cal l ed A sia Eu ro pe and A frica

, Concerning thi s
-
.

OCE AN ’

A N D I Ts three fol d divisi on O f the earth s extent there are a l mos t

ESSE R I S LES innume rab l e w riters wh o not o n l y exp l ai n t h e situations
,

O f cities and p l aces but a l so measu re out the number o f

,

mi les an d paces t o give mo re c l ea rness Moreove r they .

locate the i s l ands interspers ed ami d the waves bot h the ,

greate r and a l so the l esser i sland s ca l led t h e Cyc l ades or ,

Spo rades as si tuated i n t h e vast flood O f the Great Sea

,
.

But the impa ssab l e fa rther bound s O f O cean n o t on l y has

no on e attempted to describe but no man has been a l ,

lowed to reac h ; fo r by reason O f obst ructing seaweed and

the fai l ing o f the winds i t i s p l ain l y inaccessib l e and i s
u nknown to any save to H im w h o made i t But the .

nea rer border Of thi s sea w h i ch we cal l the ci rcl e O f the

-

wor l d s u rr o unds i ts coasts l ike a w reat h

, Thi s has .

becom e clear l y known to men o f i n q ui ring mi nd even ,

to suc h as desi red to w ri te about i t For not on l y i s the .

coast i tse l f i nhabited but certai n islands O ff i n the sea

,

are habi tab l e T h u s t h ere are t o the E ast i n the I ndi an

.

O cean H i ppo de s I a m n e s i a So l i s P e r u s t a ( w h i ch t h ough

, , ,

not habi tab l e i s yet O f great l ength and breadth ) besides

, ,

Taprobane a fai r i s l and wherein there a re towns o r

,

estates and ten strongly fortifi ed cit ies B ut there i s yet .

another the l ovely S il e fa n t i n a and Theros a l so Thes e

, , .
,

though not c l ear l y describe d by any w riter are n e v e rt h e ,

l ess wel l fi ll ed wit h i nhabi tants Thi s S ame O cean has .

i n its western regi on certain i s l ands known to al m o st

everyone by re a son Of the great number o f those t h at
j ou rney to and f ro A nd there are two not far f rom the
.

neighborhood O f the S trai t O f Gades one the Blessed ,

I sl e and another cal l ed the Fortunate Al though some .

 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 53

reckon as i sl and s o f O cean the tw in promonto ries o f

Gali ci a and Lusitania where a re sti l l to be seen the
,

’
Temp l e o f H ercu l es on one and Scipio s Monument o n
the othe r yet s ince they are j oi ned t o the extremity o f
,

the Ga l ici an country they bel ong rather to the conti nent
,

O f Europe than t o the i slands o f O cean H owever it .

,

has other i sl and s d eeper wi thin i ts own ti des which are ,

cal l ed the Ba l eares ; and yet another Me v a n i a besi des , ,

the O reades thi rty three i n number though not al l i n

,
-

habi ted A n d at the fa rthest boun d O f its western ex

.

panse i t has another i s l and named Thul e o f whic h the ,

Mantuan bard makes mention :

“ ”
A nd F a rt h e s t Thu l e S ha ll se rve thee .

The same mighty sea has a l so i n i ts a rcti c region t h at i s , ,

i n the north a great i sland named S ca n dz a f rom whi ch

, ,

my tal e ( by God s grace ) sha ll take i ts begin n ing For

’
.

the race w h ose origi n y o u ask t o know burst forth l ike a

sw arm o f bees f rom the mi dst O f thi s i s l an d an d came
i nto the land O f Eu rope Bu t how o r i n what w ise w e.

’
shall exp l ain herea fte r i f i t be the Lo rd s w i ll
, .

I O I I But n o w l et me speak bri efly as I can concerning BRI T AI N

the i s l and O f B ritain which i s S ituated in the bosom of
,

O cean between Spain Gau l and Ge rmany ,

Al though .

Livy te ll s us that no o n e in former days sai l ed around

i t because O f i ts great S i ze yet many w ri ters have he l d
, ,
Ca e s a r
’
s tu
I nv asi ons
vari ous Opini ons about i t I t wa s l ong unapproac h ed by .
Of B r i t ai r
R oman arms unti l Ju l iu s Caesar disc l osed it by batt l es 5 5 54 -

fought fo r mere g l ory I n the busy age whic h fo ll owed

.

i t became accessib l e to many through t rade and by othe r

means Thus i t revea l ed mo re c l ear l y i ts position whi ch
.
,

I S ha l l h ere exp l ai n as I have found i t i n Greek and Lati n

I I authors Most o f them say i t i s l ike a tri ang l e pointing
.

between t he nort h and west I ts wi dest angl e faces the .

mouths o f the R hine Then the i sland shrinks i n breadth

.

and recedes unti l it ends in tw o other ang l es I ts two .

54 J ORDA N E S Z O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E GOTH S

l ong si des face Gau l and Germany . I ts greatest breadth

i s sai d to be over two thousand th ree hundre d and ten
stadi a and i ts l ength not mo re than seven thousand
,

one h und red and t h i rty two stadia I n some parts-

. 12

i t i s moor l and i n others t h ere are w ooded p l ains and

, ,

someti mes i t ri ses i nto mountain pea k s The i s l and i s .

su rrounded by a s l uggi sh sea whi ch neither gives readi l y ,

to the stroke O f the o a r no r runs high unde r t h e b l asts

O f t h e wi nd I suppose thi s i s because ot h er l ands are
.

S O far removed f rom i t as to cau se no d istu rbance o f the

sea w h i ch indeed i s o f greate r wi dth here t h an anyw h ere

,

else M oreover Strabo a fam o u s w ri te r o f t h e Gree k s

.
, ,

re l ates that the i s l and exha l es such mi sts f rom i ts soi l ,

soake d by t h e f re q uent inroads o f O cean t h at the sun i s ,

covered t h roug h out t h e w h o l e O f thei r disagreeab l e sort

o f day that passes as fai r an d s o i s hidden f rom sig h t , .

Co rne l ius a l s o the autho r O f t h e A nna l s says t h at in

, ,
1 3
t h e fart h est part o f B ritai n t h e nig h t gets b righte r and
i s very S ho rt H e a l so says t h at the i s l and aboun ds in
.

meta l s is we ll supp l i ed w ith grass and i s mo re produc

,

tive i n a ll t h ose t h ings w h i c h feed beasts rather t h an men .

M oreover many l arge rivers fl ow through i t and the ,

ti des a re bo rne back into them r oll ing a l ong preci ou s ,

stones and pearl s The Si l u res have swarthy featu res

.

and a re usual l y born w ith cu r l y b l ack h ai r but the i n h a b ,

i t a n t s o f Ca l edoni a have reddi s h h ai r and l arge l oose

j ointed bodi es They are li ke the Gau l s or the Spania rds
.
,

acco rding as they a re Oppos ite ei ther n ati on H ence some . I 4

have supposed that f r om these l ands the island received
i ts i nhabitants al l uring them by its nearne s s A l l the
,
.

peop l e and thei r kings are a l ike w i l d Y et Di o a most .

,

ce l ebrated w ri ter O f anna l s assu res u s o f t h e fact that ,

they h ave been combi ned under the name O f Ca l edo

n i a n s and M a e a t a e They l ive i n watt l ed huts a s h e l ter
.
,

used i n common with thei r fl ocks and O ften t h e woods ,

a re t h ei r home They paint thei r bodies wi th i ron red

.
-

,
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 55

whethe r by way o f adornment o r perhaps for some othe r

reason They O ften wage w a r with one anothe r either
.
,

because they desi re powe r o r to i ncrease thei r possessi ons .

They fight not on l y on horseback o r on foot but even ,

with scythed two ho rse chari ots which they common l y

-

cal l es s e dae Let it su ffice to have sai d thus much on t h e

.

S hape O f the i s l and o f B ri tain .

I I I Let u s now retu rn to the s i te O f the i sland O f

S CA NDzA
S ca n dz a which w e le ft above
, Cl audius Ptolemaeus an
.
,

exce ll ent describe r O f the wo r l d has m ade mention O f i t ,

“
in the second book O f h is work saying : There i s a ,

great i s l and S it uated in the su rge O f the northern O cean ,

S c a n dz a by name i n the shape o f a j uni per l ea f wi th

,

”
bu l ging S i des whi ch tape r to a poi nt at a l ong end .

P o m po n i u s Me l a also makes mention o f i t as situated i n

the Co da n Gul f O f the sea wi th O cean l apping i ts shores
, .

Thi s is l and l ies in f ront o f the river Vi stu l a which ri ses ,

i n t he Sa rmati an mountains and flows through i ts trip l e

mouth into t h e nort h ern O cean i n sight O f S c a n dz a sep ,

a r a t i n g Germany and S cy thia The is l and has i n i ts

.

eastern part a vast l ake i n the bosom o f the earth w h ence ,

the Vagus river springs f rom t h e bo we l s o f the earth and

flows su rging into the O cean A nd on the west i t i s su r
.

rounded by a n immense sea O n t h e north i t i s boun ded

.

by t h e s ame vast unnavigab l e O cean f rom w h i c h by ,

means o f a sort O f pr oj ecting arm O f l and a bay i s cut o ff

1 8 an d forms the Ger m an Sea H ere a l so there a re sai d to
.

be many small is l ands scattered round about I f wo l ves .

cross ove r to these i s l ands when the sea i s f rozen by

reason O f the great col d they a re said to l ose t h ei r sight
,
.

Thus the l and i s not on l y i nhospitab l e to men but crue l

even to wi l d beasts .

I 9 No w i n the island o f S ca n dz a whereo f I speak there , ,

dwe ll many and d ivers nat ions t h ough Pt o l emaeus men

,

t ions the names O f but seven O f them There the honey .

making swarms o f bees a re nowhere to be found on

56 J ORD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

account O f the exceedi ng great co l d I n the northern pa rt .

o f the i s l and the race o f the Ado gi t l ive wh o are S ai d ,

t o have conti nua l l ight i n mi dsumme r fo r forty days and

nights an d wh o l ikewi se h ave no clear light in the w inte r
,

season fo r the same number Of days and nights By .

reason O f thi s a l tern ati on O f so rrow an d j oy they are l ike

no other race i n thei r su fferings and b l essings A nd wh y ? .

B ecause du ring the l onger days they see the sun returning
to t he east a l on g the rim o f the ho ri zon but on the s horter ,

days i t i s not thus seen The sun shows itse l f di fferent l y .

because i t i s passing throug h the southern S igns and ,

w hereas to u s the sun i s seen to ri se f rom be l ow i t is s ai d ,

t o go a round them along the edge O f the earth There .

al so a re ot h e r peoples There a re the S c r e r e fe n n a e who

.
,

do n ot seek grai n fo r food but l ive on the flesh o f wi l d

’
beasts and bi rds eggs ; fo r there are such mu l titudes o f
young game i n the swamps as to p rovi de fo r the natura l
increase O f thei r kind an d t o a ffo rd sat i s f action to t h e
need s o f the peopl e But sti l l anothe r race dwe ll s there
.
,

the w h o l ike t h e Thuringians have sp l endi d

, ,

ho rses H ere a l so are thos e w h o send th rough i n n u m e r

.

ab l e othe r tribes the sa pphi re co l ored skins to t rade fo r

R oman u se They are a people famed for the dark beauty
.

O f thei r furs and though l iving in pove rty are most rich l y
, ,

c l othed Then comes a throng O f vari ous nati ons Theu

.
,
22

s t e s V a go t h B e r gi o H a ll in L i o t hi d a
, , ,
Al l thei r h a bita , .

tions a re in one l eve l and ferti l e regi on Where fo re they .

are di stu rbed there by the attacks o f othe r tribes B ehind .

thes e are the Ah e l m i l F i n n a i t h a e F e rv i r and Ga u t h igo t h

, , ,

a race o f men b o l d and q uick to fig h t Then come the .

Mixi E v ag r e and Ot i n gi s A l l these l ive l ike w i l d ani

, , .

ma l s i n rocks h e wn o u t l ike castl es A nd there are be

-

yond these the O strogoths R a u m a r i c i Ae r a gn ar i c i i and , , ,

the most gent l e Finns mi l de r than al l the inhabi tants o f,

S c a n dz a Like them are the V i n o v ili t h a l s o

. The S u e t idi .

are o f t h i s s tock and excell t h e rest i n stature H ow eve r .

,
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 57

the D ani wh o t race thei r origin to the same stoc k d rove

, ,

f rom thei r homes the H erul i who l ay c l aim t o pre em i ,

n e n c e among al l the nations o f S c a n dz a fo r thei r tal l ness .

Fu rthermore there are i n t h e sam e neighborhood the

Gr a n n ii Au ga n dz i E u n i x i Ta e t e l R ugi A r o c h i and
, , , , ,

R a n ii over whom R o du u l f was king not many years ago

,
.

But he despised hi s o w n kingdom and fled to the embrace

o f Theodo ri c king o f the Goths findi ng there what he
, ,

desi red Al l these nati ons s urpassed the Germans in si ze

.

and spi rit and fought w ith t he crue l ty Of w il d beasts

,
.

The U nite d Goths

IV N ow from thi s i s l and o f S c a n dz a as f rom a hive ,

O f races or a womb o f nations the Goths are sai d to h ave ,

come forth l ong ago under thei r king B erig by name ,

.

A s so o n as they disembarked f rom thei r S hips and set

foot on the l and t h ey straightway gave thei r name t o t h e
,
H OW TH E
GOT H S CA M ]
place A nd even to day i t i s sai d to be ca ll ed Gothi
.
-

TO S CY TH I A

s c a n dz a S oon they moved from here to the abodes O f

.

the U l m e r u gi wh o then dwel t o n the sho res o f O cean

, ,

where they pi tched camp j oined battl e wi t h them and ,

d rove them f rom thei r homes Then they subdued thei r .

neighbors the Vanda l s and thus added to thei r vi ctories

, ,
.

Bu t when the number O f the peop l e i ii c ge agei gnea t l y and

m

F i l i m e r son o f Ga da r i c r e i gn e d aS ki n g a bo t i t the fi fth

'

, ,

si nce Berig h e decided t hgt the a rm y o f the Got hs wi th

—

thei r famili es Sh Oii l d m

__
-
I w

Ov e f ro m that region I n search

’

o f suitab l e homes and p l easant pl aces they came to the

l and o f Scythia c al l ed Oi u m in that tongue H ere they
, .

we re de l ighte d w ith the great richness o f t h e country ,

and i t i s sai d t h at when h a l f the army had been brought

over the bridge whereby they had crossed the ri ve r fel l
,

i n utte r ruin no r cou l d anyone therea fte r pass to o r f ro

, .

F o r the p l ace i s sai d t o be surrounded by q uaking bogs

and an enci rc l ing abys s s o that by t hi s doub l e Obstac l e ,

nature h as made i t inaccessibl e A nd even to day one .

-
 58 J ORD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DE EDS OF TH E G OTH S

may h ear in that neighbo rhood the l owing o f catt l e and

m ay find traces o f men i f we a re to be l ieve the stori es
,
l
o f t rave ll ers a l though we must grant that they h ear these
,

things from a fa r .

Thi s part o f the Goths whi c h i s said to have crossed

,
28

the river and entered with F i l im e r into the country o f

O ium came i nto possession o f the desi red l and an d there
, ,

they soon came upon t he race o f the Spa l i j oined batt l e ,

wi th them and won the victory Thence the victors hast .

ene d to the farthest part o f Scythia whi ch i s near the sea ,

O f Pont u s ; fo r so t h e sto ry i s genera ll y to l d i n thei r ea r l y

s ongs ,
i n almost hi sto ri c fashion Abl abi u s also a fa .
,

mous C h ronic l er O f the Gothi c race confirms thi s i n his ,

most t rustworthy account Some o f the ancient w rite rs . 29

a l so agree w ith t h e ta l e A mong these we may mention

.

Josephus a mos t re l iab l e re l ato r o f annal s who eve ry

, ,

w here fo ll ow s the ru l e Of t rut h and unrave l s f rom the

begi nning the origin O f things but why he has omitted —

the beginnings o f the race O f the Goths O f which I have ,

spoken I do not know

,
H e bare l y menti ons Magog
.

O f that stock and says they were S cythians by race and

,

were cal l ed s o by name .

B e fo re we ente r o n our hi story we must d escrib e t he ,

boundaries O f thi s l and as i t l i es ,

.

S CY T H I A
V Now Scyt h i a bo rders on the l and O f Germany as 3O
fa r as t h e sou rce o f the rive r I ste r and the expanse o f the
M o rs i a n Swamp I t reaches even to t h e rivers Ty ra
.
,

D a n a s t e r and V a go s o l a and the great D a n a pe r extend

, ,

ing to the Taurus range not the mo untains i n A sia but—

ou r own that i s the S cythi an Tau rus a l l the way to

, ,
—

Lake Ma e o t i s B eyon d Lake Ma e ot i s it spreads on the

.

other si de O f t h e strai ts O f Bospho rus to the Caucasus

M ountai ns an d the rive r A raxes Then it bends bac k to .

the l e ft behind the Caspi an Sea whi ch comes f rom the ,

northeastern ocean i n the most di stant parts o f A si a and ,

so i s formed l ike a mushroom at firs t na rrow and t h en ,

 60 J ORDA N E S Z O R I GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

thei r ci ti es The A ntes wh o a re the b ravest o f these

.
,

peoples dwelling i n the cu rve O f the sea O f Pontus spread -

f rom the Da n a s t e r to the D an ape r rivers that are many ,

’
days j ourney apart B ut on the shore o f O cean where.
, 36
the fl oods o f the rive r Vi stu l a empty f rom three mouths ,

the V i di v a ri i dwe l l a peop l e gathered out O f various

,

tribes B eyond them the Ae s t i a subj ect race l ikewi s e

.
, ,

ho l d the sh o re O f O cean To the south dwel l the Ac a t z i r i

.

a very brave tri be ignorant O f agricu l ture wh o subs ist ,

on thei r fl ocks and by h unting Fa rthe r away and above .

37
the Sea o f Pontus a re the abodes Of the Bu l gares wel l ,

k nown f rom the disasters ou r neg l ect has brought

upon us From thi s region the H uns l ike a f ruit fu l
.
,

root Of b rave s t races sp ro u ted int o two ho rdes O f peopl e

-

,
.

S ome o f these a re c al led A l t z i a gi ri others Sabi ri ; and ,

they have di fferent dwe ll i ng p l aces The Al t z i a gi r i a re .

nea r C herson where the ava ri ci o us traders bri ng i n t h e

,

goods o f A sia I n summer they range t h e p l ains thei r

.
,

broad domai ns wherever the pastu rage for thei r cattl e

,

i nvi tes them and betake themse l ves in w inter beyond the
,

sea O f Pontus N ow the H u n u gu ri are known to us f rom

.

the fact that they t rade i n marten skins But they have .

been cow ed by thei r bol der neighbors .

We read that i n thei r first abo de the Goths dwe l t

TH E i n the l and o f Scythi a near Lake Ma e o t i s ; i n thei r
I H RE E A B OD ES
‘

)F T H E GOT H S sec o nd in Moesia Thrace and D aci a and i n thei r

, ,

thi rd they dwe l t agai n i n Scyt h ia a b o ve the sea o f ,

P ontus . N o r do we find anywhere i n thei r w ritten

records l egend s whi c h tel l o f thei r subj ection to
Sl avery i n B ri tain o r in some othe r is l and or o f t h ei r ,

redemption by a certai n man at the cost o f a sing l e horse .

O f c ou rse i f anyone i n ou r ci ty says that the Goths h ad an

o rigin di fferent f rom that I have re l ated l et him obj ect , .

F o r mysel f I pre fe r to be l i eve what I have read rat h er

, ,

’
than pu t t rust in Ol d wi ves ta l es
-

.
 TH E G OTH I C H I S T ORY 61

To retu rn then to my subj ect The a foresai d race O f

, , .

whi ch I S peak i s known to have had F il im e r as king whil e

t h ey remained i n thei r fi rst home i n Scythi a nea r Ma e o t i s .

I n thei r second home that i s in the countries o f D aci a

, , ,

T h race and Moesia Z a l m ox e s reigned w h om many w rit

, ,

e rs o f annal s mention as a man O f rema rkable l earning in

phi l osophy Y et even be fore this they had a l earned man
.

Z euta and a fter him D i c i n e u s ; and the thi rd was Z a l

,

m o x e s o f whom I have mad e mention above N o r did .

they l ack teachers o f wi sd o m Where fore the Goths have .

ever been wi ser than othe r barbarians and were nea r l y

l ike the Greeks as D i o re l ates wh o w rote thei r h istory
, ,

and anna l s w it h a Greek pen H e says that those o f nob l e .

bi rt h among them f rom whom thei r kings and pri ests

,

were app o inted were ca ll ed fi r s t Ta ra bo s t e s e i and t h en

, .

P i l l eat i Mo reove r so high l y were the Getae prai sed that

.

Mars whom the fab l es O f poets cal l the god o f wa r was r e

, ,

pu t e d to have bee n bo rn among them H enc e Vergi l says .

“
Father Gra di v u s ru l es the Geti c fie l ds .
”

N ow Ma rs h as a l ways been w ors h i pped by the Goths

w ith crue l rites and captiv e s w ere Sl ai n as his victims
,
.

T h ey t h ought that he w ho i s l o rd o f w ar ought t o be

appeased by the shedding o f human b l ood TO hi m they .

devoted the fi rst share O f the spoi l and i n hi s hono r a rms ,

stri pped f rom the foe w ere suspe nded f rom trees A nd .

t h ey ha d mo re than a ll ot h e r races a deep spi ri t O f relig

i on S ince the wo rshi p o f this go d seemed t o be rea l ly
,

bestowed upon t h ei r ancesto r .

I n thei r t h i rd dwe ll ing p l ace whi c h wa s above the Sea ,

i

O f Pontus they had now become more civi l ized and as I

, ,

h ave sai d be fore were more l earned ,

Then the peop l e .

w ere divided under ru l ing fami l ies The Vi sigoths served .

the fami l y O f the Ba l thi and the O st rogoths served the

renowned A ma l i They W ere the firs t race o f men t o
.

st ri ng t h e bow w ith cords as Lucan who i s mo re O f a , ,

hi stori an than a poet a ffirms : ,

 62 J OR DAN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S
“
They st ring A rmenian b ows with Get ic cords .
”

I n ear l i est times they sang O f the deed s O f thei r a n c e s

tors i n strains O f s o ng accompani ed by the ci t h ara ; chant
i ng o f E t e rpam a ra H ana l a F r i t ige rn V i di go i a and
, , ,

others whose fam e among them i s great ; such heroes as

admi ring anti q uity scarce proclaims i ts own to be Then .
,

a s the sto ry goes V e s o s i s w a ged a wa r di sastrous to

,

hi mse l f against t h e Scythi an s whom anci ent t radition ,

asse rts to have been the husbands o f the A mazon s Co n .

cerning these female warri o rs O rosiu s speaks i n co n v i n c

ing l anguage Thu s we can cl ea r l y p rove that V e s o s i s
.

then fought with the Go ths since we know su re l y that he

,

waged wa r w it h the husbands o f the A mazons They .

dwe l t at that ti me along a bend O f Lake Ma e o t i s f rom -

the river B o ry s t h e n e s whi ch the natives call the Da n a pe r

, ,

H E R IVE R DON t o the s tream O f the Ta n a i s By the Ta n a i s I mean the

‘

rive r whi ch flow s down f rom the R h i pa e i a n mountains

and rushes wi th so sw i ft a cu rrent th at when the neig h
boring stream s Or Lak e Ma e ot i s and the Bosphorus are
f rozen fast i t i s the only river th a t i s kept wa rm by the
,

rugged mountains and i s neve r s o l i dified by the Scythian

co l d I t i s al so famous as t h e bounda ry o f A si a and
.

Eu rope For the other Ta n a i s i s t h e one which ris es in

.

the mountains O f the Ch r i n n i and fl ows int o the Caspian

TH E D N IE P E R Sea The D a n a pe r begin s I n a great marsh and i ssues
.

f r o m i t as f rom i ts mothe r I t i s sweet and fi t to d rink

.

as fa r as hal f way down i ts cou rse I t a l so produces fish

-

O f a fine fl avo r and wi thou t bones having on l y ca rtilage ,

as the f rame w ork O f thei r bodies But as i t app roaches

-

the Pontus i t receives a l ittl e stream ca ll ed E x a m pa e u s -

so very bi tter that a l though the river i s navigab l e for the

’
l ength O f a forty day s voyage i t i s so altered by the ,

wate r o f thi s scanty stream a s to b ecome tainted and

un l ike itsel f and fl ows thus tainted into the sea between
,

the G reek town s O f Ca l li pi da e and H ypani s A t i ts mouth .

there i s an i sland named A chi ll es Between these two .

 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 63

rive rs i s a vast l and fi ll ed with forests and t reache rous

swamps .

V I Thi s w a s the regi on where the Goths dwe l t when D EFEAT OF

V E S OS I S
V e s o s i s king o f the Egyptians m ade wa r up o n them
, , .
( S ES OS TR IS )
Thei r king at that time was Ta n a u s i s I n a battle at the .

rive r Phasi s ( whence come the bi rds c al l ed pheasants ,

whi ch are found in abundance at the ban q uets o f the great

al l over the wor l d ) Ta n a u s i s king o f the Goths met
, ,

V e s o s i s king o f the Egy pti ans an d there i nfl icted a

, ,

severe de feat upon him pursuing hi m even to Egypt

,
.

H ad he not been restrained by the w ate rs O f the im pa s s

able N ile and the forti fications which V e s o s i s had long
ago o rdered to be made agai nst the raids o f the E t h i o
pians he woul d have sl ain him in hi s own l and
,
Bu t .

finding h e h ad no powe r to inj u re him there he returned ,

and con q uered almost al l A si a and made i t subj ect a n d

tributary to S o rn u s king o f the Medes w h o w a s then hi s
, ,

dea r f ri en d A t that time some O f hi s vi cto rious a rmy

.
,

seeing that the subdued provinces were ri ch and f ruit ‘

fu l deserted thei r compani es and o f thei r o wn acco rd

,

remained i n va riou s pa rts O f A sia .

From th e i r name or race P o m pe i u s Tr o gu s s ays the

stock O f the Parthians had its origin H ence even to day .
-

i n the Scythian tongue they are called P a rt h i that i s , ,

D eserters A nd in conse q uence O f thei r descent they a re

.

a rchers almost alone among al l the nations o f A sia

—

and are very v al iant warri ors No w in regard to the

.

name though I have sai d they were cal l ed P a rt h i because

,

they were deserters some have t raced the derivati on o f

,

the word otherwi se saying that they we re called P a rt hi

,

because they fled fr o m thei r ki nsmen N ow when thi s .

Ta n a u s i s king o f the Goths was dead hi s peo p l e wor

, , ,

s hi pped him as one O f thei r god s .

V I I A fter hi s death whil e the army under his suc

,

c e s s o r s w a s engaged i n an expedition i n other parts a ,

neighbo ring tribe attem pted to carry Off women o f the

 64 J ORD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E GOTH S

Got h s as booty B ut they made a brave resi s tance as

.
,

t h ey had been taught to do by thei r husbands and routed ,

TH E i n d i sgrace the enemy who had come upon them When .

\MAZ ON S I N they had won thi s vi ctory they were i nspi red w i th greater
A I A MI N R
,
IS O
daring Mutua l l y e ncouraging each othe r t hey took up
.
,

arms and chose tw o o f t h e bo l de r L a m pe t o and M a rpe s i a , ,

to act as t h ei r l eaders Whil e they were i n command .

, 5 0

t h ey cast l ot s both fo r the de fen s e O f thei r o w n country

and the devastation O f othe r l ands S O L a m pe t o remained .

t o gua rd thei r native l and and M a rpe s i a took a company

o f women and l ed this nove l army i nto A si a A f ter con .

q uering va ri ous t ribe s i n war and making others thei r

a l l ies by t reaties S h e came to the Caucasus There she
, .

remai ned for some time an d gave the p l ace t h e name R oc k

O f Ma r pe s i a O f w hic h a l s o Vergi l makes menti on :
,

“
Like to hard fl int o r the Ma rpe s i a n Cl i ff .
”

I t was here Al exande r the Great a fterw ards bui l t gates

and n amed them t h e Caspi an Gat e s which now the t ri be ,

o f the Lazi guard as a R oman outpost H ere then .

, ,

the A m azons remained for some time and were much

s trengthened Then they dep a rt e d and crossed the ri ve r
.
-

H a l y s whi ch fl ow s near the city o f Gangra and wi th

, ,

e q ua l success subdued A rmenia Sy ria Cil ici a Ga l atia , , , ,

Pi si di a and a ll the places o f A si a Then they turned to .

I oni a and A eo l i a and made provi nces O f them a fte r t h ei r

,

su rrende r H ere they ru l ed fo r some time and even

.

founded ci ties and camps bearing thei r name A t Ep h esus .

a l s o they bui l t a very cost l y and beauti ful templ e fo r

D iana because o f her del ight in a rchery and the chase
,

a rts to which they were themselves devoted Then these .

S cythian born women w h o had by s uch a C h ance gained

-

contro l o ver t h e kingdoms O f A sia he l d them for a l most ,

a h undred ye ars and at l ast cam e back to thei r own kins

,

fo lk i n t h e Ma rpe s i a n rocks I have mentioned above ,

name l y the Caucasus mountains .

 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 65

I nasmuch as I have twi ce menti oned thi s mountain

range I think it not ou t o f p l ace to describe i ts e x tent and
,
TH E
CAU CA S U S
s ituation fo r as i s wel l known i t encompasses a gre a t
, , ,

part o f the ea rth wit h i ts continuous c h ain B eginning .

at the I ndian O cean where i t face s the south i t i s warm

, ,

giving Off vapo r i n t h e sun ; where i t l i es Open to the

north i t i s exposed to chi l l w inds and f rost Then bend .

i ng back into Sy ria with a cu rving turn i t not onl y sends ,

fo rth many other streams but pours f rom i ts p l enteous

,

breasts i nto the V a s i a n e n s i a n regi on the Euph rates and

the Tigris navigab l e rivers famed fo r thei r un failing
,

S prings These rive rs sur round the land O f the Sy rians

.

and ca u se i t to be ca ll ed Mesopotamia as i t t ruly i s Thei r

,
.

waters empty into the bosom O f the R e d S ea Then turn .

ing back to the north the range I have spoken O f passes

,

wi th great bends through the Scythian lands There i t .

send s forth very famous rivers i nto the Ca s pian Sea the - —

A raxes the Cyrus and the Cambyses I t goes on i n con

,
.

t i n u o u s range even to the R h i p a e i a n mountains Thence .

i t descen ds f rom the north toward the Ponti c Sea fur ,

n i s hi n g a bounda ry to the Scythian t ribes by its ridge and ,

even t o uches the waters O f the I ster w ith its clustered

h i ll s Being cut by thi s river i t divides and i n S cythia
.
, ,

i s named Tau rus a l so Such then i s the g reat range

.
,

almost the mightiest O f mountain C hains rearing al o ft i ts ,

summits and by i ts natu ra l con formation supplying men

wi th impregnable stronghol ds H e re and there it divi des
.

w h ere the ri dge breaks apa rt and l eaves a deep gap t h us ,

forming n ow the Caspi an Gates and agai n the A rmeni an ,

o r the Ci l ician o r o f whatever name the place may be

,
.

Y et they are bare l y passab l e fo r a wagon fo r both si des ,

are sharp and steep as we l l as ver y high The range has .

di ffe rent names among vari o u s peop l es The I ndian ca ll s .

i t I m au s and in another part P a r o pa m i s u s The Parthi an .

ca ll s i t first Ch oa t ra s and a fterwa rd Ni ph a t e s the Sy ri an

and A rmenian ca ll i t Taurus ; t h e Scythian names i t Ca u
 66 J ORD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

casus and R h i pa e u s and at i ts end ca ll s i t Tau rus Many

,
.

othe r t ri bes h ave given names to the range N ow that w e .

have dev o ted a few words to describing i ts extent l et us ,

retu rn to the subj ect o f the A mazons f rom whi c h we have

digressed .

TH E V I I I Fea ring thei r race woul d fai l they sought mar ,

A M AZ O NS
r i a ge w i t h neighbo ring t ri bes They appointed a day fo r .

meeti n g once i n every yea r S O that when they shoul d ,

retu rn to the same place on t hat day i n the fo l low ing year
each mother might give ove r to the fathe r whatever mal e
chi l d she had bo rne but shou l d hersel f keep and t rai n fo r
,

wa rf are whatever chi l d ren O f the femal e sex we re bo rn .

O r el se as some maintai n they ex p osed the ma l es de

, , ,

st roying the l i fe O f the ill f ated C hi l d w ith a hate l ike -

that O f a stepmother A mong them childbea ring wa s

.

detested though everyw h ere else i t i s desi red The terro r

,
.
57
o f thei r crue l ty wa s increased by common rumo r ; fo r
w hat hope p ray w ou l d there be fo r a captive w hen i t
, , ,

was consi dered w rong to spare even a son ? H ercu l es ,

they say fought against them and overcame Me n a l i ppe ,

yet mo re by guil e than by valor Theseus moreove r took .

, ,

H ip p o l yte captive and O f her h e begat H i ppolytus A nd

, .

i n l ater times t h e A mazons had a q ueen named Penthe

silea famed in the ta l es o f the T roj an wa r These women
, .

a re sai d to have kept thei r powe r even to the ti me o f

A lexande r the Great .

“
I X But sa y not Why does a story which deals with
the men O f the Goths have S O much to say O f thei r wo -

R EIGN
”
men ? H ea r then the ta l e O f the famou s an d g l oriou s
, ,

OF T ELEF U S
AN D val o r o f the men N ow D i o the hi stori an and di ligent
.
,

E U R Y P YL U S investigator O f anci ent t imes wh o gave to hi s wo rk the ,

“
title Geti ca ( and the Getae w e have proved i n a pre
”

v i o u s passage to be Goths o n the testimony O f O rosiu s ,

Paulus ) this D i o I say makes menti on o f a l ate r king

—

, ,

O f thei rs named Te l e fu s Let no o n e say that thi s name

.

i s q uite fo reign to the Go t hi c tongue and l et no o n e who ,

i s ignorant cavi l at the fact that the t ri bes o f men make

 68 J ORD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E GOTH S

Of
-
Tomyri s an d mos t O f the army But w h en the batt l e .

w as renewed t h e Getae and t h ei r q ueen de feated con

, ,

q uered and overwhe l med the Parthi ans and took rich
p l under f rom them There fo r the first time the race O f
.

the Goths saw si l ken tents A fter achi eving t hi s victory .

an d winning S O much booty f rom her enemies Q ueen ,

Tomyris c rossed o ve r i nto that part o f M oesia which i s

now ca l l ed Lesse r Scythi a a name borrowed f rom great —

S cythia and bu i l t o n the Mo e s i a n shore o f Pontus the

—

city o f Tomi n amed a fter herse l f

,
.

D a ri u s A fterwards D arius king O f t h e Pe rsians the son o f, ,

B C 52 1 485
. .
-

H y s t as pe s dem anded i n ma rriage the daughter o f A n ty

,

rus king o f the Goths asking fo r her hand an d at the

, ,

same time making threats i n case they di d not ful fi l hi s

wis h The Got h s spu rned thi s a ll iance and brought hi s
.

DAR I U S embassy to n aught I n fl a m e d w ith anger because his

.

R E P E LL E D
O ffer had been rej e c ted he l ed an army o f seven hund red ,

thous and armed men against them and sou ght to avenge
hi s wounded fee l ings by infl icting a pub l ic inj ury C ros s .

ing o n boats covered with boards and j oined l ike a bri dge
al most t h e w h o le way f rom Cha l cedon to Byzantium he ,

started fo r Thrace and Mo e si a Late r he bui l t a bridge .

ove r the D anube in l ike manner but he was w ea ri ed by ,

two brie f months O f e ffort and l ost eight thousand armed

men at Tapae Then f earing the bri dge over the D anube
.
,

wou l d be seized by his foes he ma rched back to Thrace ,

i n swi ft ret reat bel ieving the l and o f Moesia wou l d not
,

be sa fe for even a short s oj ou rn there .

X e rx e s A fter hi s death hi s son X erxes p l anned to avenge hi s

,

B C 485 465 ’
father s w rongs an d s o proceeded to undertake a wa r
-
. .

against the Goths wi t h seven hundred thousand o f hi s

own men and three hundred thousand armed auxili aries ,

twe l ve hund red ships o f wa r and th ree thousand t rans

ports B ut he di d not venture to try them i n batt l e being
.
,

overawed by thei r unyi e l ding cou rage S O he returned .

wi th his force j ust as he had come and without fighting ,

a single batt l e .
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 69

T h en Phi l i p the fathe r Of A lexander the Great made

, ,
P h i li p o f
Mac e don
a ll iance w ith the Goths and t ook to wi fe Me dopa the , B C 3 59 32
. .
-

daughte r o f King Gu di l a s o that h e might render the

,

ki ngdom O f Macedon more secu re by t he he l p o f thi s

marri age I t wa s at thi s time as the hi st o rian Di o r e
.
,

l ates th at Phi l ip su ffering f rom need o f money deter

, , ,

mi ned t O l ead out hi s f orces and sack O dessus a ci ty O f

'

S IE GE
M oesia which was then subj ect to the Goths b y reason o f
,
0F

the neighboring city o f Tomi Thereupon those pri ests .

OD ES S U S

O f t h e Goths t h at a re ca ll ed the H o l y M e n sudden l y

Opened the gates O f O dessu s and came forth t o meet them .

They bore h a rps an d were c l ad i n snowy robes and ,

chant ed i n supp l iant strains to the gods O f thei r fathers

that they might be propitiou s and repel the M acedoni ans .

W hen the Macedoni ans s aw them coming w ith suc h con

fi de n c e to meet t h em they were astoni s h ed and so to
, ,

speak the armed we re ter ri fied by the unarmed St raight

, .

way they broke the l ine they ha d fo rmed for battl e and
n o t on l y re f rained f r o m destroyi ng the city but even ,

gave back those whom they had captu red outsi de by right
O f w ar . Then t h ey made a t ruce and retu rned t o thei r
.

own cou ntry .

A fter a l ong time S i t a l c e s a famous l eade r o f the

,

Goths remembering t h i s t reac h erous attempt gathered a

, ,

h und re d and fi fty thousand men and m ade wa r upon the

A thenians fighting against P e r di cc as King o f Macedon
, ,
.

Thi s P e rdi c ca s had been l e ft by Al exander as hi s succes

so r t o ru l e A thens by hereditary right when he drank hi s ,

destructi on at Bab y l o n th rough the t reachery o f an at

-

tendant T h e Goths engaged in a great batt l e wi th him

.

and p r o ved themselves to be the stronger Thu s i n return .

fo r the w rong which the Macedoni ans had long be fo re

committed i n Moesia the Goths overran Greece and lai d
,

waste the who l e O f M acedonia .

X I Then when B u r u i s t a wa s king O f the Goths , S ulla

’
s
Di c t a t o r s h i
Di c i n eu s came to Go t h i a at the time when Su l la rul ed the B C 82 79
. .
-
 7O J ORDA N E S Z O RIGI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

R omans . received D i c i n e u s and gave h im a l

B u ru i s ta
mos t roya l power I t was by h i s advi ce the Goths ravaged
.

the l ands o f the Germa n s w hich the Franks now possess ,

.

TH E W ISE Then came Caesa r the fi rst O f a l l the R omans to assume

,
68
i mperi a l powe r and t o subdue a l most the w h ol e w or l d
EEE
E
R JL
,
D CI I IS
w h o con q uered al l kingdoms an d even seized is l ands l ying

Ca e s a r
’
s
beyond ou r wo r l d reposing in the bosom O f O cean H e
,
.

fg
gcj zgi
I ct at p made tri butary to the R omans those that knew not the
R oman nam e even by hea rsay and y e t wa s unab l e to pre ,

T i be ri u s v ai l against the Goths despi te hi s f re q uent attempts

,
.

AD
. . I4-

37 Soon Gaius Tiberius reigned as thi rd empero r o f the

R omans an d yet the Goths continued i n thei r kingdom
,

unha rmed Thei r sa fety t hei r advantage thei r one hope

.
, , 69
l ay i n thi s that whatever thei r counse ll o r D i c i n e u s a d
,

vi sed S hou l d by al l mea n s be done ; and they j udged i t

expedi ent that the y S hou l d l abo r fo r its accompli shment .

A nd when h e saw that thei r minds w ere obedient to h im

i n a l l things and t h at they ha d natura l abi li ty he taught ,

t hem a l most the whol e o f p h i losophy fo r he w as a S ki l led ,

master O f thi s subj ect Thus by teaching them ethi cs he

.

restrained thei r barbarous customs ; by imparti ng a know l

edge o f phys ics h e made them l i ve natura l ly under l aws
O f thei r own which they possess i n w ri tten f orm to thi s
,

day and ca l l be l a gi n es H e taug h t them l ogi c and made

.

t h em skil l ed i n reasoni n g beyond al l other races ; he ,

show ed them p ract ical know l edge an d s o persuaded them

t o abound in good wo r k s By demonst rating t h e o reti ca l .

know l edge he urged them to contemp l ate the cou rses o f

t h e twe l ve signs and O f t h e p l anets passing through them ,

and the who l e o f ast ronomy H e to l d t h em how the di sc .

o f the moon gains increas e o r su ffe rs loss and S howed -

them how much t h e fiery gl obe O f t h e sun exceeds i n S i ze

ou r earth l y p l anet H e ex pl ained the names o f the th ree
.

h undred and forty S i x stars and to l d through what s igns

—

i n t h e arching vau l t o f the heavens they g l ide sw i ft l y f ro m -

thei r ri sing to thei r setting Think I p ray you what .

, , 7 0
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY 71

p l easu re i t wa s fo r these brave men when fo r a l itt l e ,

space they had l ei su re f rom war fare to be i nstru c ted in ,

the teachings o f philoso phy ! Y ou mig h t have seen one

scanning the pos it ion O f the heavens and another i nvesti
gating the natu re O f plants and bushes H ere stood one .

wh o studi ed the Waxing and waning O f the moon while ,

stil l anot her regarded the labo rs o f the sun and Observed
h ow thos e bodi es w hich we re hastening to go towa rd the
east are whi rled around and borne back to the west by
the rotation o f the heavens When they h ad learned the
.

reason they were at rest These and variou s other mat

,
-

ters D i c i n e u s taug h t the Goths i n hi s wi sdom and gained

marvellous repute among them so that he ruled not only,

the common men but thei r kings H e c h ose from among .

them those that were at t hat time o f nobles t bi rth and

superi or w isdom and taught them theo l ogy bidding them ,

w o rship certain divinities and ho l y pl aces H e gave the .

name o f P i l l e a t i to the p riests he ordained I suppose ,

because t h ey o ffered sacri fice having thei r heads cove red

wi th t ia ras which we otherwise ca ll pi l l e i But he bade
, .

them ca ll the rest O f thei r race Ca pil l a t i This name the .

Goths accepted and p ri zed highly and they retain it to ,

thi s day i n thei r songs .

A fte r the de a th O f D i c i n e u s they hel d Co m o s i c u s i n

,

a l most e q ual hono r because he w as not i n feri or in know l

,

edge By reason O f hi s wi sdom he was accounted thei r

.

p riest and king an d he j udged the peop l e w ith the great

,

est uprig h tness .

X I I W hen he too had departed f rom human a ffai rs ,

Co ry l l u s ascended the th rone as king o f the Goths and for

f o rty years ru l ed hi s peop le i n D aci a I mean ancient .
DACI A
D acia which the race o f the Gepi dae now p oss esses Thi s
,
.

count ry l ies across the Danube wi thin sight o f Moesia ,

and i s surrounded by a c rown O f mountains I t has on l y .

two ways O f access one by way o f B o u t a e and the

,

other by Tapae This Go t h i a which ou r ancestors

.
,
 72 J ORD AN ES : O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E GOTH S

cal l ed D aci a and n ow as I have sai d i s ca ll ed Ge pi di a

, , ,

was then bounded on the east by the R oxo l ani on t h e west ,

by the I a zy ge s on the n ort h by the S armatians an d Bas

,

t e rn a e and on the south by the rive r D anube The I a zy ge s .

are separated f rom the R oxolani by the Al uta rive r on l y .

THE A nd since mention has been made O f the D anube I

DA N U B E ,

think i t not out o f p l ace to make bri e f notice o f so exce l

l ent a stream R i sing i n the fie l ds o f t h e Al a m anni i t
.
,

receives S ixty streams which fl ow i nto i t h ere and the re

i n the twe l ve hund red mi l es f rom i ts sou rce to i ts mouths
i n the Pontus resembl ing a s pine inwoven with ribs l ike
,

a basket I t i s indeed a mos t vast river I n the l anguage

. .

O f the B essi i t i s cal l ed the H i ster an d i t has pro found ,

w aters i n i ts channel to a depth o f q uite tw o hund red feet .

Thi s stream su rpa sses in size all othe r rivers except the ,

N i l e Let thi s much su ffice for the D anube But l et u s

. .

’
now with the Lo rd s he l p return to the s ubj ect f rom whic h
w e have digressed .

Do m i t i a n XI I I N ow a fter a l ong time i n t h e reign of t h e ,

A D 81 9 6
. .
-

Empero r D omi ti an the Got hs through fea r o f hi s ava

, ,

r i c e b roke the truce they had l ong Obse r ved unde r other
,

emperors They l ai d waste the bank o f the D anube S O

.
,

W AR WIT H l ong h e l d by the R oman Empi re and slew t h e sol di ers and
DOM I TIA N
,

thei r genera ls Opp i u s S a bi n u s was then governor O f

.

that provi nce a ft er A grippa whi l e D o rpa n e u s he l d

, ,

command ove r the Goths Thereupon the Goths made .

wa r and con q u ered the R omans cut Off the head o f ,

Oppi u s S abi n u s an d i nvaded and bol d l y p l undered many

cast l es and cities be l onging to the Emperor I n thi s pl ight .

o f hi s countrymen D omitian hastened with al l hi s might

t o I llyricum b ringing wi th him the troops o f a l mo s t
,
-

the enti re empi re H e sent F u s c u s be fo re hi m as hi s

.

genera l with picked sol diers Then j oining boats to .

get h er l ike a bridge he m ade hi s so l die rs cross the rive r

,

D anube above the a rmy o f D o rpa n e u s But the Goths .

7
were on the a l ert They t ook u p arms and present l y ove r
.
 TH E G OTH I C H I S TORY

whe l med the R omans i n the fi rs t encounter They s l ew .

F u s cu s t h e commander and plundered the soldiers camp

, ,
’

o f i ts treasure A n d because o f the great vi ctory they

.

h ad won in t h i s region they therea fter ca ll ed thei r l ead ,

ers by whose good fo rtune t hey seemed to have c o n

,

q uered n o t mere men bu t demigods that i s A ns i s

, , Thei r , .

genea l ogy I S hal l run th rough briefly tel l ing the l ineage ,

O f each and the beginning and the end o f thi s l ine A nd .

do thou O reader hea r m e w ithout repining ; fo r I S peak

, ,

t ru l y .

X I V N ow the fi rst O f these he roes a s t h ey them ,

GE N EAL OGY
OF TH E
se l ves re l at e i n thei r l egends w a s Ga pt wh o begat , , A N SIS 0R
A M AL I
H u l mul A n d H u lm u l begat A ugis ; and A ugi s begat
.

h im who was ca ll ed A mal f rom whom the name o f the ,

A m a l i comes Thi s A mal begat H i s a rn i s

. H i s a rn i s .

mo reover bega t Os t ro go t h a and O s t ro go t h a begat H u ,

nuil and H u n u i l l ikewi se begat A tha l

, A thal begat .

Ac hi u l f a n d Odu u l f NOW A c h i u l f begat An s i l a and

.

E di u l f V u l t u u l f and H e rm a n a r i c
, A nd V u l t u u l f begat .

V a l a r a v a n s an d V a l a r a v a n s beg a t V i n i t h a r i u s V i n it h a .

riu s mo reove r begat V a n da l a ri u s ; V a n da l a r i u s bega t

Th i u di m e r and Val ami r and Vidimer ; and Th i u dim e r
begat Theodori c Theodori c be gat Am a l a s u e n t h a ; A mal
.

a s u e n t h a bo re A t h a l a r i c and M a t h e s u e n t h a to her hus

band E u th a ri c whose race wa s thus j oined to hers i n

,

kinshi p F o r the a foresai d H e rm a n a r i c the son O f

.
,

A ch i u l f b egat H u n im u n d and H u n i m u n d begat Th o r i s

, ,

mud NOW Th o ri s m u d begat B e re m u d B e r e m u d begat

.
,

V e t e r i c and V e t e r i c likewi se begat E u t h a r i c w h o mar

, ,

ried Am a l a s u e n t h a and begat A t h a l a ri c and Ma t h e s u

e n th a At h a l a r i c died i n the years O f his childhood and
.
,

Ma t h e s u e n t h a married V i t ige s to whom she bore n o ,

c h i l d Both O f them were taken togethe r by B e l i s a r i u s to

.

Constantinop l e When V i t i ge s passed f rom human a f

.

fai rs Ge rm an u s the patrici an a nephew O f the Empero r

, ,

Justini an took Mat h e s u e n t h a i n ma rriage an d made he r

,
 74 J ORDA N E S I O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

a Patri cian O rdinary A n d o f he r he begat a son a ls o

.
,

called Ge rm a n u s But upon the death o f Ge rm a n u s she

.
,

det ermi ned to remain a w idow No w how and i n what .

W i se the kingdom o f the A ma l i was overth rown we s hal l

keep to tel l i n i ts proper pl ace i f the L o rd he l p us ,
.

But l et u s n ow retu rn to the point whence we made ou r

digression and tel l how the sto c k o f thi s peopl e O f wh o m
I speak reached the end O f i ts cours e N ow Abl a bi u s t h e .

hi sto rian re l ates that i n Scythi a where w e have sai d that ,

they were dwe l li ng above an arm O f the Ponti c Sea part ,

o f t h em W ho he l d the easte rn regi on and whose king was

Os t r o go t h a w ere ca l l O strogoths that i s eastern
, , ,

Goths eithe r f rom hi s nam e o r f rom the p l ace

, B ut the .

rest we re ca l l ed Vi sigoths th a t i s the Goths O f the west

, ,

e rn count ry .

X V A S a l ready sai d t h ey cro s sed the D anube and

,

dwelt a l i tt l e whi l e i n Moesi a and Th rac e From the .

remnant o f these came M aximin the Emperor succeed ,

ing A lexande r the son o f M amaca F o r Symmachus re .

MAX I MI N , l ates i t thus in the fi fth book o f hi s history sayi ng that ,

T H E GOT H
IHO E CA M E
B upon the death o f Caesa r A lexander Maxi min wa s ,

A R OM A N made Emperor by the a rmy ; a man born i n Thrace o f

E M P E R OR
most humb l e parentage hi s father being a Goth named
,

M i cca and hi s mother a woman O f t he A l ani cal l ed

,

A baba H e reigne d three years and l ost al ike hi s empi re

.

and h i s l i fe W hil e making war on the Chri stians N ow .

a fte r hi s fi rst years s pent i n rusti c l i fe he had come f rom,

,

hi s flocks to mil ita ry se rvi ce i n the reign o f t h e Emperor

S everus an d at the t ime when the latter wa s ce l eb rat ing
’

S e p t i m i us h i s son s bi rthday I t happ ened that the Empero r was giv

.

S e v e ru s ing mil itary games When M aximi n saw thi s a l though ,

AD 1 93 2 1 1
.

-
. .

he w as a semi barbarian youth he besought t h e Empero r

-

i n his native tongue to give him permi ssion to w rest l e wi th

the trained sol di ers f or the pri zes Offe red Severus mar .

vel l ing much at hi s great S ize fo r hi s statu re i t is sai d —

, ,

w a s more than eight feet bade him contend i n w restling

—
 76 J ORDAN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEEDS OF TH E G OTH S

Al e x a n de r Al exander the son o f Mam a e a When he was s l ain i n an .

A D 222 23 5
upri sing o f the so l di ers at Mo go n t i a cu m Maximi n him
-

. .

M a x im i n se l f was made Empero r by a v o te o f the army wi th ,

AD 23 5 2 3 8
-

out a decree O f the senate B ut he marred a l l his goo d

. .

deeds by persecuting the Chri sti ans i n acco rdance w it h

an evi l vow and being s l ai n by P u pi e n u s at A q ui l eia l e ft
, ,

P up i e n u s the kingdom to P h i l ip These m a tters we have borrowed

.

A D 23 8 . .

f rom the history o f Symmachus fo r thi s o u r l itt l e book ,

i n order to S how that the race o f whi ch we speak attai ned

to t h e very highest stati on i n the R oman Empi re But .

ou r subj ect re q ui r e s us to return i n due o rde r t o t he point

whence we digressed .

KING X V I N ow the Gothi c race gai ned great fame i n the

OS TROGOTH A
W AR S W IT H
region W here they were then dwel ling that i s i n the , ,

P H I LI P Scythi an l and o n the sho re O f Pontus h ol d ing un disputed ,

sway over great stretches o f country many a rms o f the ,

sea and many river c o urses By thei r strong right arm.

the Vanda l s were O ften l ai d l ow ; th e Ma rc o manni he l d

P h i l i p p at e r thei r footing by paying tri but e and the p rinces o f the
A D 244 249
Q uadi we re reduced t o sl avery N ow when the a foresai d
-
. .

”
Th e Ar ab i a n
‘ .

Phil ip who w ith hi s son Philip wa s the on l y Chri sti an

—

, ,

empero r be fo re Constantine ru l ed over the R omans i n

—

the secon d year o f hi s reign R om e completed i ts one

P hil i p fil i u S thousand th year H e w it h hel d f rom the Goths the t ri bute
.

A D 247 249
. .
-

due t h em ; whereupon they were natu ra ll y en raged and

instead o f f riends became hi s foes For though they dwe l t .

apart under thei r own kings yet they had been al l i ed to,

t h e R oman state and received annua l gi fts A nd w h at .

90
more ? O s t ro got h a and hi s men soon crossed the D anube
and ravaged Moe si a and Thrace Phi l ip sent the senato r .

D ecius agai n st him A nd S ince he cou l d do n othing

.

agai nst t h e Getae he re l eased h i s sol die rs f rom mi l i

,

tary service and sent them back to private li fe as though ,

i t had been by thei r neg l ect that the Goths had c rossed the
D anube . Whe n as he supposed he had thus taken ven
, ,

ge a n c e on hi s so l die rs he retu rned to Phi l i p

,
But when .
 TH E GOTH I C H I S TORY

t h e so l diers f ound themselves e x pel l ed f r o m the army

a fter so many hardshi p s i n thei r ange r they had recou rse
,

to t h e protection o f Os t ro go t h a king o f the Goths H e

, .

received t hem was a roused by the i r wo rds and p resent l y

,

l ed out three hundred thousand armed men having a s ,

alli es fo r thi s wa r some o f the Tai fa l i and A st ringi and

a l so three thousand o f t h e Carpi a race o f men very ready
,

to make wa r and f re q uently host il e to the R om ans But .

i n l ate r times when D ioc l etian and Ma X I m I an were Em

p e ro r s
,
the Caesa r Ga l e r i u s Ma x i m i a n u s con q ue red them

and made them t ri buta ry to the R oman Empi re Besi des .

these tribes Os t ro got h a had Goths and P e u c i n i f rom the

,

is l and O f Penc e which l ies i n the mouths O f the Danube

,

where they empty into the S ea o f Pontus H e placed i n .

command A rga i t h and Gu n t h e ri c the nob lest l eaders ,

o f hi s race They s peedily c rossed the Danube d evas

.
,

t a t e d Moesia a second time and approached M a rc i a n o pl e ,

t h e famed metropol is o f that land Y et a fter a l ong s iege

.

t h ey depa rted u pon receiving money f rom the i nhabitant s

, .

N ow since w e have menti on ed M a rc i a n o pl e w e may ,

briefly re l ate a few matters in connection wi th its found

ing They s ay that the Empero r Traj an bui l t thi s ci ty
.

’
fo r the fo ll owing reason W hi l e his si ste r s daughter
.

Marcia wa s bathing i n the stream ca l led P o t a m u s a —

MARCI A NOP
rive r Of great clearness and puri ty that ri ses in the midst
o f the city —

she wi shed t o d raw some water f rom i t and

by chance dro pped i nto i ts depths the golden pi tcher she
was carrying Y et though very heavy from i ts weight
.

o f meta l i t eme rged f rom t h e waves a long time a fter

,

wards I t su re l y i s not a usual thing for an empty vesse l

.

to sink ; much l es s that when once swal l o wed u p i t S houl d

, ,

be cast up by t he w aves and fl o at again Traj an ma r .

v e l l e d at h earing this and be l i eved there w as some divi n

i ty i n the stream S O he bui l t a ci ty and ca ll ed i t

.

Ma rc i a n Opl e a fter the name o f his s i ster .

X V I I F rom thi s city then a s we were saying the

, , ,
 78 J OR DA N E S Z O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF TH E G OT H S

TH E Getae retu rned a fter a l ong siege to thei r own l and e n ,

GE P I DAE ri ched by the ransom t hey had received N ow the race

A N D T H EI R
.

D EFEAT B Y O f the Gepi dae wa s moved w ith envy when they saw them
OS TROGOTH A
laden w ith booty an d so suddenly vi ctori ous everywhere ,

and made wa r on t hei r kinsmen Shou l d you ask how .

the Getae and Gepidae are kinsmen I can te l l you in a ,

fe w wo rd s Y o u su re l y remembe r that i n the begi nning

.

I sai d the Goths w ent forth f rom the bosom o f the i sland
O f S c a n dz a wi th B erig thei r king sai ling in only three
, ,

ships t ow a rd the hither sho re o f O cean namely t o ,

Go t hi s c a n dz a O ne o f these three shi ps proved t o be

.

s l ow er than the others a s is usually the case and thus i s

, ,

sai d t o h ave given the tri be thei r name fo r i n thei r ,

l anguage ge pa n ta means Sl ow '

H ence i t came t o pass .

that gradual l y and by corruption the name Gepi dae w a s

coi ned fo r them by w ay o f rep roach For undoubted l y .

they too t race thei r origin f rom the stock o f the Goths ,

but because as I have sai d gepa n ta m eans somethi ng

, ,
.

s l ow and stol i d the w o rd Gepi dae arose as a grat uitous

,

name o f repr o ach I do not bel i eve thi s i s very f ar

.

w rong fo r they are slow o f thought and t o o s l uggi sh fo r

,

q ui ck movement O f thei r b odi es .

These Gepi dae we re then smitten by envy whi le they

dw e l t i n the provi nce o f S pesi s o n an i s l an d su rrounded -

by the shallow waters o f the Vi stul a This island they .

ca ll ed i n the speech O f thei r fathers Ge pe do i os ; bu t i t i s

, ,

now inhabi ted by the race O f the V i v i da r i i since the ,

Gepi dae themselves have moved t o better l ands The .

V i v i da r i i are gathered f rom vari ou s races i nto thi s one

asylum i f I may call it S O an d thus they form a n ati on
, ,
.

S O then as we were saying F a s t i da king O f the Ge p i dae

, , , ,

sti rred up hi s q uiet peop l e to enlarge thei r bou ndari es by

wa r . H e overwhe l med the Burgundians almost a n n i h i ,

l ating them and con q uered a numbe r o f ot h e r races al so

, .

H e unj ustly provoked the Got hs being t h e fi rst to break ,

the b o nds o f ki nship by unseem l y s tri fe H e was greatly .

 T H E GOT H I C H I S TO R Y 79

pu ff e d up w ith vai n glo ry but i n s e e king to acqui r e n e w

,

l ands fo r hi s growing nation h e only r e duc e d t h e num ,

b e rs o f hi s o wn countrym e n Fo r h e s e nt am bassa dors .

to Os t ro got h a to whos e rul e O strogoths and Vi s igoths

,

al ik e that i s t h e two pe opl e s o f t h e sam e trib e w e r e still

, , ,

subj e ct Compl aini ng that h e was h e mm e d in by rugg e d

.

mountains an d d e ns e for e sts h e d e m and e d o n e o f two ,

things tha t Os t r o go t h a s houl d e i th e r pr e par e fo r war

,

o r give up part o f hi s l ands to th e m Th e n Os t rogo t h a

'
.
,

king o f t h e G o ths who wa s a man o f firm mind a n

, ,

s we r e d t h e ambassadors that h e did ind e e d d r e ad such a

w ar and that i t would be a gri e vous and i n famou s thing

t o j oin battl e with th e i r kin but h e woul d not giv e up —

hi s l ands A n d why say mor e ? Th e G e pi da e ha s t e n e d

.

to tak e arms and O s t r ogo t h a l ik e wi s e mov e d h i s forc e s

against th e m l e st h e shoul d s e e m a cowa rd Th e y m e t
, .

at t h e tow n o f Ga l t i s n e a r whi ch t h e riv e r Au h a fl ows

, ,

and th e r e both si d e s fought wi th gr e at valor ; ind e e d t h e

similari ty o f t h e i r arm s an d o f th e i r mann e r o f fighting
.

turn e d th e m against th e i r own m e n But t h e b e tt e r caus e .

and th e i r natu ral al e rtn e s s ai d e d t h e Goths Finally night .

put an e n d t o t h e battl e as a part o f t h e G e pi da e w e r e

giving way Th e n F a s t i da king o f t h e G e pi da e l e ft t h e
.
, ,

fi e l d o f sl aught e r and hast e n e d to hi s o wn l and as much ,

humi l i at e d with sham e an d d i s grac e as fo rm e rly h e had

b e e n e lat e d w ith prid e Th e Goths r e tu rn e d victo rious
.
,

cont e nt w ith t h e r e t r e at o f t h e G e pida e and dw e l t i n ,

p e ac e and ha ppi n e ss in th e i r o wn land so l o ng as O s tro

gotha was th e i r l e ad e r .

KI N G CN I V
X V I I I A ft e r hi s d e ath Cn i v a divi d e d t h e a rmy into
, A T W AR W I T
two parts and s e nt som e to w a st e Mo e sia knowi ng that i t D EC I U S
,

was und e f e nd e d through t h e n e gl e ct o f t h e e mp e ro rs .

H e hims e l f w ith s e v e nty thou sand m e n hast e n e d to

E u s c i a that i s No v a e
, ,
Wh e n driv e n f rom thi s pl ac e by
.
.

t h e g e n e ral Gallus h e approach e d N icopol i s a v e ry fa

, ,

mous town si tuat e d n e ar t h e I a t ru s riv e r This city .

 80 J O RD AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S OF T H E GOT H S

D e ci u s T raj an buil t wh e n h e conqu e r e d t h e Sarmati ans and

249 25 1-

nam e d it t h e City o f Vi ct o ry Wh e n t h e Emp e ro r D e cius

.

d r e w n e a r Cn i v a at last wi thd r e w to t h e r e gi ons o f

,

H a e mus whi ch w e r e not fa r distant Th e nc e h e hast e n e d

,
.

to Phil ippopol is w ith hi s for c e s in goo d a rray Wh e n

,
. 1 02

t h e Emp e ro r D e ci u s l e arn e d o f his d e pa rtur e h e was ,

e ag e r t o bring r e l i e f to hi s own ci ty and cro s sing Mount ,

H a e mus cam e to B e roa Whil e h e was r e sti ng hi s hors e s

,
.

and hi s w e ary a rmy i n that pl ac e all at onc e Cn i v a and

,

hi s Got hs f e l l upon him l ik e a thund e rbol t H e cut t h e .

Rom an a rmy to pi e c e s and d r o v e t h e Emp e ror w ith a ,

fe w who had succ e e d e d i n e sca p ing across t h e A lps again

,

to E u s c i a in Mo e si a wh e r e Gallu s was th e n s tati on e d

,

wi th a l arg e fo rc e o f sol di e rs as gua rdian o f t h e f ronti e r .

Coll e cting an army f rom thi s r e gi on a s w e l l as f rom

Oe s cu s h e pr e pa r e d fo r t h e confl i c t o f t h e comi ng wa r
,
.

Ca p t u r e o f
P h i l i pp o p o l i s B ut Cn i v a took Phil ippopol i s a ft e r a long s i e g e and th e n ,

A D 250 . .
la d e n w ith spoi l all i e d hims e l f to P ri s cu s t h e command e r
, ,

i n t h e city t o fight against D e ci us I n t h e battl e that

,
.

follow e d th e y quickly pi e rc e d t h e s o n o f D e cius wit h an

a rrow and cru e lly sl e w him H i s fath e r saw it and
.
,

al though h e i s said t o hav e e xclaim e d to ch e e r t h e h e art s ,

“
o f hi s sol di e rs : L e t n o o n e mou rn ; t h e d e ath o f o n e
D e ath o f
so l di e r i s no t a gr e at l oss to t h e r e publi c h e w a s y e t ”

D eciu s at
,

Ab r i tt u s unabl e to e ndu r e it b e caus e o f hi s l ov e fo r his son So

, .

A D 25 1
h e rod e against t h e fo e d e manding e ith e r d e ath or v e n
. .

ge a n c e an d wh e n h e cam e t o Abr i t t u s a ci ty o f M o e sia

, , ,

h e wa s hims e l f cut o ff by t h e Goth s an d slain thus mak ,

ing an e n d o f hi s d ominion and o f hi s l i f e Thi s pl ac e .

i s to day call e d t h e A lt a r o f D e ci us b e caus e h e th e r e

—

o ff e r e d st rang e sacri fic e s to idols b e for e t h e battl e .

Ga l l u s X I X Th e n upon t h e d e ath o f D e cius Gallus and , 1 04

AD 2 5 1 2 53
-

V o l u s i an u s succ e e d e d to t h e Roman Empi r e

. .

A t thi s .

tim e a d e structiv e pl agu e al most l ik e d e ath i ts e l f such

, ,

V o l u s i an u s as we su ff e r e d nine y e ars ago blight e d t h e fac e o f t h e

,

A D 2 52 2 53
who l e e arth and e sp e cial ly d e vastat e d Al e xand ria and all
-

. .
 TH E GOT H I C H I S TO R Y DI

t he land o f Egypt Th e histori an D i ony s iu s giv e s a

.

mourn ful account o f i t and Cypri an o u r o wn bi s hop and ,

v e n e rabl e martyr in Chri st al so d e scrib e s i t i n hi s book ,

“ ” TH E GO T H S
e nti tl e d O n Mo rtal ity A t thi s tim e t h e Goths fre
.
TH E TI M E
qu e ntly ravag e d Mo e sia through t h e n e gl e ct o f t h e Em GALL U s ,
,
V OL U S I A N U S
p e r o rs. Wh e n a c e rtai n Ae m i l i a n u s saw that th e y w e r e AE M I L I A N I
f r e e to do thi s and that th e y coul d not be di s lodg e d by
,

anyon e w i thout gr e at cost to t h e r e publi c h e thought that A e m i li a n u

,
A D 2 53 .

h e too might be abl e to achi e v e fam e and fortun e S o he

.

s e i z e d t h e rul e in Mo esi a and taking all t h e s ol di e rs h e ,

coul d gath e r b e gan t o p l und e r ci ti e s and p e opl e I n t h e

, .

n e xt fe w months whil e an a rm e d host was b e ing gath

,

e r e d against him h e w rought no s mal l ha rm t o t h e s tat e

, .

Y e t h e di e d almost at t h e b e ginning o f hi s e vil att e mpt ,

thus l osing at onc e h i s l i f e and t h e pow e r h e cov et e d .

No w though Gallus and V o l u s i a n u s t h e Emp e rors w e ,

hav e m e ntion e d d e part e d thi s l i f e a ft e r r e ma i n i n g I n

,

pow e r fo r bar e ly two y e ars y e t du ring thi s s pac e o f two ,

y e a rs which th e y sp e nt on e arth th e y r e ign e d ami d uni

v e rsal p e ac e and f avo r O nly o n e thing w a s l ai d to th e i r
. Th e Fl a gu
A D 252 2(
charg e nam e ly t h e gr e at pl agu e B ut this wa s an a c
-
. .

, .

c u sati o n mad e by ignorant sland e r e rs who s e cu s tom i t i s ,

t o wound t h e l iv e s o f oth e rs wi th t h e i r mali ci ous bit e .

Soon a ft e r th e y cam e to pow e r th e y mad e a t r e aty with

t h e rac e o f t h e Goth s Wh e n bo th rul e r s w e r e d e ad i t
.
Ga l l i e n u s
,
AD . . 2 53 26
-

wa s no l ong tim e b e for e Gall i e nus u s urp e d t h e thron e .

X X Whil e h e wa s giv e n ov e r to l uxu rio u s living o f TH E GOT H

e v e ry sort R e s pa V e du c and Th u ru a r l e ad e rs o f th e P L U N D ER
, , ,
AS I A MI N O
Goths took shi p and sail e d acro ss t h e strait o f t h e H e ll e
,
A D 2 62 o r
. .

s po n t to A sia Th e r e th e y lai d wa s t e many populous

.

ci ti e s and s e t fi r e to t h e r e nown e d t e mpl e o f D iana at

Eph e su s w hich a s we said b e fo r e t h e A mazons bui lt
, , ,
.

Being driv e n f rom t h e n e ighborh o od o f B ithynia th e y ,

d e stroy e d Chal c e don whi ch Corn e li u s Av i t u s a ft e rwards

,

r e stor e d to som e e xt e nt Y e t e v e n to day though i t i s .

-

happily situat e d n e ar t h e roya l city i t stil l show s som e ,

 82 J ORDA N E S Z OR I G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

t rac e s o f i t s rui n a s a wi tn e ss to post e rity A ft e r th e i r . 1 08

s ucc e ss t h e Goths r e c ross e d t h e st rai t o f t h e H e ll e spont

, ,

lad e n w it h boot y and spoi l an d r e turn e d along t h e sam e ,

rout e by which t h e y had e nt e r e d A sia sacking T roy ,

an d I liu m on t h e way Th e s e ci ti e s w hi ch had scarc e re

.
,

cov e r e d a l i tt l e f rom t h e famous w ar w i th A gam e mnon ,

w e r e thus d e s tro y e d an e w by t h e h o stil e sword A ft e r .

t h e Goths had thus d e vastat e d A sia Thrac e n e xt f e lt ,

th e i r f e rocity For th e y w e nt thi th e r and pr e s e ntly

.

attack e d An c h i a l i a ci ty at t h e foot o f H a e mu s and not

,

far fr o m t h e s e a Sardanapalus k ing o f t h e Pa rthians

.
, ,

had built thi s ci ty lon g ago b e tw e e n an inl e t o f t h e s e a

an d t h e bas e o f H a e mus Th e r e th e y a re sai d to hav e . 1 09

stay e d fo r many day s e nj oy ing t h e baths o f t h e hot ,

S p ring s whi ch a re situat e d about tw e lv e mi l e s f rom t h e

ci ty o f An c hi a l i Th e r e th e y gush f rom t h e d e pths o f
.

th e i r fi e ry sourc e and among t h e i nnum e rabl e hot springs

,

o f t h e worl d th e y a re parti cularly famous and e fficaci ous

to h e al t h e sick .

TH E TI M ES
)F D I OC L E TI A N X X I A ft e r th e s e e v e nts t h e Goths had al r e ady r e , 1 10

tu rn e d hom e wh e n th e y w e r e summon e d a t t h e r e qu e st
o f t h e Emp e ror M a x i m i a n to ai d t h e Romans against t h e
Parthi ans Th e y f o ught for hi m f aith ful l y s e rving as
.
,

D i o c l e t i an auxi li ari e s But a ft e r Ca e sa r M ax i m i a n by t h e i r ai d had

.

284 3 05 rout e d Na rs e u s king o f t h e P e rsian s t h e grandson o f

-

M ax i m i an , ,

284 -

305 S apo r t h e Gr e at taki ng as spoi l al l h i s poss e ssi ons to

, ,

g e th e r wi th hi s w iv e s and his sons and wh e n D ioc l e tian ,

had conqu e r e d A chill e s i n A l e xandri a and M a x i m i a n u s

H e r cu l i u s had br o k e n t h e Q u i n q u e ge n t i a n i i n A f rica thus
'

winning p e ac e fo r t h e e mpi r e th e y b e gan rath e r to n e g ,

l e ct t h e Goths .

N ow it ha d long b e e n a hard m att e r fo r t h e Roman I I I

a rmy to fight agai nst any nations whatso e v e r without

Co n s t a n t i n e I th e m Thi s i s e vi d e nt f rom t h e way in whi ch t h e Goths
.

396 33 7
-

w e r e s o f r e qu e ntly call e d up o n Thus th e y w e r e sum .

Li c m i u s
m o n e d by Constantin e t o b e ar arms against hi s kinsman
3 07 ‘

3 23
 84 J O R D ANES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S OF T H E GOT H S

famous l e ad e r o f t h e Got h s had conqu e r e d and spoi l e d ,

t h e Vandal s h e r e tu rn e d to hi s own pl ac e wh e nc e h e had

,

com e Th e n t h e r e mnant o f t h e Vandal s w h o had e s

.

cap e d coll e cting a ban d of th e i r unwarlik e folk l e ft th e i r

, ,

ill fat e d country and ask e d t h e Emp e ror Con stanti n e fo r

-

Pannonia H e r e th e y mad e th e i r hom e for about sixty

.

y e ars and ob e y e d t h e commands o f t h e e mp e rors l ik e

subj e cts A l o ng tim e a ft e rw ard th e y w e r e summon e d
.

th e nc e by Stil icho Mast e r o f t h e Sol di e ry Ex Consul and

, ,
-

Patrici an and t o ok poss e ss ion o f Gaul H e r e th e y pl u n

,
.

d e r e d th e i r n e ighbors and had n o s e ttl e d pl ac e o f abod e .

X X I I I Soon Ge be r i ch king o f t h e Goths d e part e d , , 1 1 6

f rom human a ffai rs and H e rm a n a r i c nobl e s t o f t h e ,

CO N Q U ES T A mal i succ e e d e d to t h e thron e H e subdu e d many w a r

, .

OF TH E
l ik e p e opl e s o f t h e no rth and mad e th e m ob e y hi s l aws
EE U L I V E N E TH I ,
,

AND AE S TI and som e o f ou r anc e stors hav e j ustly compa r e d him to

A l e xand e r t h e Gr e at A mong t h e t ri b e s h e conqu e r e d
.

w e r e t h e Go l th e s cy th a Th i u do s I n a u n x i s V a s i n a bro n
, , ,

cae , M e r e ns Mord e ns I m n i s ca ri s R ogas Ta dz a n s A th

, .
, , ,

aul Na v e go B u be ge n a e an d Col dae But though famou s

,
-

, . 1 1 7
fo r hi s conqu e st o f so many rac e s h e gav e hims e l f no r e st ,

until h e had slain som e i n battl e an d th e n r e duc e d t o hi s

sway t h e r e maind e r o f t h e t rib e o f t h e H e rul i whos e chi e f ,

was A la ri c N ow t h e a for e sai d rac e as t h e hi s to rian

.
,

Abl a bi u s t e ll s u s dw e l t n e ar Lak e Mae o t i s i n s wampy

,

p l ac e s which t h e Gr e e ks cal l h e l é ; h e nc e th e y w e r e nam e d

H e l u ri Th e y w e r e a p e opl e sw i ft o f foot an d on that
.
,

account w e r e t h e mor e swoll e n w ith pri d e for t h e r e was ,

1 1 8
at that ti m e no rac e that di d not choos e f rom th e m i ts
l ight arm e d t roops fo r batt l e But though th e i r qui ckn e ss
-

o ft e n sav e d th e m f ro m oth e rs wh o mad e w ar upon th e m ,

y e t th e y w e r e o v e rthrow n by t h e sl own e s s and st e adin e ss

o f t h e Goth s ; and t h e l ot o f fortun e b rought i t to pass

that th e y a s w e l l a s t h e oth e r trib e s had to s e rv e H e r

, ,

m a n a r i c king o f t h e G e ta e
, A ft e r t h e slaught e r o f t h e . 1 1 9
H e rul i H e rm a n a ri c al s o took arms again s t th e V e n e t h i
, .
 T H E G OT H I C H I S TO RY 85

Thi s p e opl e though d e spi s e d in wa r wa s st rong i n num

, ,

b e rs and t ri e d t o r e s i st him But a mul ti tud e o f cowards

.

i s o f no avail particularly wh e n God p e rmits an arm e d

,

multitud e to attack th e m Th e s e p e opl e as we start e d

.
,

t o say at t h e b e ginning o f our account o r catal ogu e o f

nations though o ff shoots f rom o n e stock hav e now
,
-

thr e e nam e s that i s V e n e t h i A nt e s and S c l a v e n i Though

, ,
.

th e y n o w rag e i n wa r fa r and wi d e in cons e qu e nc e o f ,

ou r n e gl e ct y e t at that tim e th e y w e r e al l ob e di e nt to H e r
,

’
m a n a r i c s comm a nd s Thi s rul e r al so su bdu e d by his
.

wi sdom and might t h e rac e o f t h e A e s t i wh o dw e ll on ,

t h e fa rt h e st shor e o f t h e G e rman O c e an and rul e d all t h e ,

nat i ons o f Scythi a and G e rmany by hi s o w n prow e ss

al on e .

X X I V But a ft e r a short spa c e o f tim e as O ros ius ,

r e l at e s t h e rac e o f t h e H uns fie rce r than f e rocity its e l f

, , ,
OR I G I N
flam e d fo rth again s t t h e Goths W e l e arn f rom ol d t ra .
A N D H I S TOI
di t i o n s that th e i r o rigin was as fol lows : F i l i m e r king o f ,
OF TH E H U
t h e Got h s son o f Ga d a r i c t h e Gr e at w h o w as t h e fi fth i n
, ,

succ e ssion to hol d t h e rul e o f t h e Ge ta e a ft e r th e i r de

partur e f rom t h e i s land o f S ca n dz a and w h o a s we hav e —

s aid, e nt e r e d t h e land o f Scythi a with hi s trib e found —

among hi s p e opl e c e rtain witch e s whom h e call e d i n hi s ,

n at iv e tongu e H a l i u m mw e Susp e ct i n g th e s e wom e n h e

.
,

e xp e ll e d th e m f rom t h e midst o f hi s rac e and comp e ll e d

th e m to w and e r in sol itary e xil e a fa r f rom h i s army .

1 22 Th e r e t h e uncl e an spi rit s wh o b e h e ld th e m a s th e y wan

,

d e r e d through t h e wil d e rn e s s b e stow e d th e i r e mbrac e s ,

upon th e m and b e gat thi s savag e rac e which dw e lt at ,

fi rst i n t h e swamps a s tunt e d foul and puny trib e

, , ,

sca rc e ly human and having no l anguag e sav e o n e whi ch

bo r e but sl ight r e s e mbl anc e t o human sp e e ch Such w a s .

t h e d e sc e nt o f t h e H uns w h o cam e to t h e country o f t h e

Goths .

I )3
”
Thi s cru e l tri b e as P r i s cu s t h e hi s to ri an r e lat e s s e t
, ,

t l e d on t h e farth e r b ank o f t h e M a e o t i c swamp They .

86 J O R DA N ES : O R I G I N AN D DE E Ds O F T H E GOT H S

w e r e fond o f hunting and had n o ski ll i n any ot h e r

art A ft e r th e y had grown to a nation th e y disturb e d
.
,

t h e p e ac e o f n e ighbor ing rac e s by th e ft and rapin e At .

o n e tim e whil e hunt e rs o f t h e i r t ri b e w e r e as usual s e e k

,

ing fo r gam e on t h e farth e st edge o f Ma e ot i s th e y ,

s aw a do e un e xp e ct e dly app e ar to th e i r sight and e nt e r

t h e swamp acting as gui d e o f t h e way ; now advancing
,

and again standing sti l l Th e hunt e rs follow e d and

. 1 24

cross e d on foot t h e Ma e o t i c swamp whi ch th e y had ,

suppos e d w as imp a ssabl e as t h e s e a P r e s e ntly t h e .

unknown l and o f Scythi a disclos e d its e l f a n d t h e do e

d isapp e ar e d N ow in my Opini o n t h e e vil spi ri ts f rom
.
,

whom t h e H uns a re d e sc e nd e d di d thi s f rom e nvy o f t h e,

Scythians A nd t h e H uns who had b e e n wholly ignorant

.
, 1 25

that th e r e was anoth e r w orl d b e yond Ma e o t i s w e r e now ,

fill e d w i th admi r a tion fo r t h e Scythian l and A s th e y .

w e r e qui ck o f mi nd th e y b e l i e v e d that this path utt e r l y

, ,

unknown to any a ge o f t h e past had b e e n divin e ly re ,

v e al e d t o th e m Th e y r e tu rn e d t o th e i r t rib e tol d th e m
.
,

W hat ha d happ e n e d prais e d Scythi a and p e rsuad e d t h e

,

p e opl e to hast e n thith e r a l ong t h e way th e y had foun d

by t h e gui danc e o f t h e do e A s many as th e y captu r e d.
,

wh e n th e y thus e nt e r e d S cythia fo r t h e fi rst tim e th e y ,

sacri fic e d to Vi cto ry Th e r e maind e r th e y conqu e r e d

.

and mad e subj e ct t o th e ms e lv e s Lik e a whi rlwin d o f . 1 26

nations th e y sw e pt across t h e gr e a t swamp and at onc e

f e ll upon t h e Al pidz u r i Al c i l dz u r i I t i m a ri Tu n ca rs i and
, , ,

B o i s c i wh o bord e r e d on that pa rt o f S cyt h ia

, Th e Al ani .

a l so who w e r e th e i r e quals i n battl e but un l ik e th e m i n

, ,

civi l i zati on mann e r s and app e aranc e th e y e xhaust e d by

, ,

th e i r inc e ssant att acks and subdu e d Fo r by th e t e rro r . 1 27

o f th e i r f e atu r e s t h e y inspi r e d gr e at f e a r i n thos e whom

p e rhaps th e y di d not r e ally surpass in wa r Th e y mad e .

th e i r fo e s fl e e i n horro r b e caus e th e i r sw arthy asp e ct was

f e a r ful and th e y had i f I may call i t so a sort o f shap e
, , ,

l e ss l ump not a h e ad w ith pi n h ol e s rath e r than e y e s

, ,
-

.
 T H E G O T H I C H I S TO R Y 87

Th e i r hardihood is e vid e nt i n th e i r wil d app e aranc e and ,

th e y a re b e ings who a re cru e l to th e i r chi ld r e n on t h e

v e ry day th e y a r e born Fo r th e y cut t h e ch e e ks o f t h e
.

mal e s wi th a sword so that b e for e th e y r e c e iv e t h e nou r

,

i s h m e n t o f milk th e y must l e a rn to e ndu r e wounds .

1 28 H e nc e th e y grow ol d b e a rdl e ss and th e i r young m e n a r e

w ithout com e l in e ss b e caus e a fac e fu r r o we d by t h e sword
,
-

spoil s by i ts scars t h e natu ral b e auty o f a b e a rd Th e y .

a r e short i n statu r e quick i n bodily mov e m e nt al e rt

, ,

hors e m e n broad shoul d e r e d r e ady i n t h e u s e o f bow and

, ,

arrow and hav e fi rm s e t n e cks which a re e v e r e r e ct i n

,
-

p rid e T hough th e y l iv e i n t h e fo rm o f m e n th e y hav e

.
,

t h e cru e lty o f wi l d b e asts .

Wh e n t h e G e ta e b e h e l d thi s activ e rac e that had i n F I RS T

vad e d many nations th e y took f right and consult e d wi th I RR U PTI O N

,
TH E H UN
th e i r king how th ey might e scap e f rom such a fo e N ow .
as e a rl y 3

3 75
a l though H e rm a n a ri c king o f t h e Got hs was t h e con
, ,

q u e r o r o f many t rib e s a s w e hav e sai d,

abov e y e t whil e ,

h e was d e l ib e rati ng on thi s invasion o f t h e H uns t h e ,

tr e ach e ro u s t rib e o f t h e R o s o m o n i wh o at that tim e w e r e ,

am o ng thos e who ow e d him th e i r homag e took thi s ,

c h anc e to catch him unawar e s Fo r wh e n t h e king had .

giv e n o rd e rs t hat a c e rtai n woman o f t h e tri b e I hav e

m e ntion e d S u n il da by nam e sh o ul d be bound to wi ld
, ,

h ors e s and torn ap a rt by d riving th e m at f ull sp e e d in

'

opposite di r e cti ons ( fo r h e was rous e d to fu ry by h e r

husban d s tr e ach e ry to him ) h e r broth e rs Sa rus and
’

Amm i u s cam e to av e nge th e i r si st e r s d e ath and plung e d

’

a sword i nto H e rm a n ar i c s s i d e En f e e bl e d by thi s blow

’
.
,

h e d ragge d out a mis e rab l e e xi st e nc e i n bodi ly w e akn e ss .

w B a l a m be r ki ng o f t h e H uns t o ok advantag e o f hi s i l l
, ,

h e a l th t o mov e an a rmy int o th e count ry o f t h e O stro -

goths f rom whom t h e Vi sigoths had al r e ady s e parat e d

,

b e caus e o f som e di sput e M e anwhil e H e rm a n a r i c who.

,

was unab l e to e ndur e e ith e r t h e pai n o f hi s wound or t h e

in roads o f t h e H uns di e d ful l o f days at t h e gr e at a ge o f
,
 88 J O R D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S O F TH E GOT H S

one hund r e d and t e n y e ars Th e fact o f hi s d e at h e nabl e d

.

t h e H u n s to p r e vai l ov e r thos e Got hs wh o as w e hav e ,

said dw e l t i n t h e e ast and w e r e cal l e d O strogoths

,
.

Th e D ivi d e d Goths : Vi sigoths

V a l e n t i ni an I XXV Th eVi s igoths who w e r e th e i r oth e r alli e s and

,
I 3 I

3 64 3 7 5
-

inh abitant s o f t h e w e st e rn count ry w e r e t e rrifi e d as th e i r

,

ki nsm e n had b e e n an d kn e w not how t o plan fo r sa f e ty

,

against t h e rac e o f t h e H uns A ft e r long d e lib e rati on by

.

TH E common cons e nt th e y finally s e nt ambassadors i nto R o

.

V I S I GO T H S
SE TTL E I N mania to t h e Emp e ro r Val e ns broth e r o f Va l e ntini an , ,

TH RACE A N D t h e e l d e r Emp e ro r to say that i f h e would giv e th e m part

M OES I A
,

3 76 o f Th rac e o r Mo e s i a to k e e p th e y w oul d submi t th e m

,

s e lv e s to hi s l aw s and commands That h e might hav e .

gr e at e r confid e nc e i n th e m th e y promis e d to b e com e

,

Chri s ti ans i f h e woul d giv e th e m t e ach e rs who sp ok e

,

th e i r l anguag e Wh e n Val e ns l e arn e d thi s h e gladly and

.
,
1 3 2
V al en s
3 64 3 7 8
-
p romptly grant e d w hat h e had hims e l f i nt e nd e d to ask .

H e r e c e iv e d t h e G e ta e int o t h e r e gi on o f Mo es i a and
pl ac e d th e m th e r e as a w all o f d e f e ns e fo r h is kingdom
agai nst oth e r t ri b e s A nd sinc e at that tim e t h e Em pe ro r
.

Val e ns who was in f e ct e d with t h e A rian pe r fi dy had

, ,

cl o s e d all t h e chu rch e s o f ou r party h e s e nt as pr e ach e rs

,

to th e m thos e who favor e d hi s s e ct Th e y cam e and .

straightway fill e d a rud e and igno rant p e opl e wi th t h e

poi son o f t h e i r h e r e sy Thus t h e Emp e ro r Val e ns mad e
.

t h e Vi sigoths A rians rath e r than Chri sti ans Mor e ov e r .

,
1 33
f rom t h e l ov e th e y bor e th e m th e y pr e ach e d t h e gosp e l
,

both to t h e O strogoths and to th e i r ki nsm e n t h e G e pi da e ,

t e aching th e m to r e v e r e nc e thi s h e r e sy and th e y i nvi t e d ,

al l p e opl e o f th e i r sp e e ch e v e rywh e r e t o attach th e ms e lv e s

t o thi s s e ct Th e y th e ms e lv e s as we hav e said cross e d
.
, ,

t h e D anub e and s e ttl e d D aci a R i pe n s i s M o e sia and Thrac e ,

by p e rmissi on o f t h e Emp e ro r .

FA I N E
M XX V I Soon famin e and want cam e u pon th e m a s ,
1 34
3 76 3 77
-

o ft e n happ e n s to a p e opl e not y e t w e l l s e ttl e d i n a coun

 TH E GOT H I C H I STO R Y 89

try Th e i r pri nc e s and t h e l e ad e rs wh o rul e d th e m i n

.

plac e o f kings that i s F r i t ige rn A l a t h e u s and S a fra c

, , ,

b e gan t o lam e nt t h e plight o f th e i r army and b e gg e d

L u p i c i n u s an d M axi mus t h e Roma n comman de r s t o , ,

“
op e n a mark e t But to what will not t h e cu rs e d lu s t fo r
.

”
gol d c o mp e l m e n to ass e nt ? Th e g e n e ral s sway e d by ,

ava ric e sol d th e m at a high pric e n o t on ly t h e fl e s h o f

,

s h e e p and ox e n but e v e n t h e ca rcass e s o f dogs and n u

,

cl e an animal s so that a slav e woul d be bart e r e d for a l oa f

,

o f br e ad o r t e n pounds o f m e at Wh e n th e i r goods and .

chatt e l s fail e d t h e gr e e dy t rad e r d e mand e d th e i r son s i n

,

r e tu rn fo r t h e n e c e ssiti e s o f l i f e A nd t h e par e nt s c o n
~ .

s e nt e d e v e n to thi s in o rd e r to provid e fo r t h e s a f e ty o f
,

th e i r chil dr e n a rguing that i t w a s b e tt e r to l os e l ib e rty

,

than l i f e ; and ind e e d i t i s b e tt e r than o n e be sol d i f h e ,

will be m e rci fully fe d than that h e shoul d be k e pt f r e e

,

on l y to di e .

N ow it cam e to pass i n that tr o ublous tim e that L u TREAC H ER ‘

OF TH E
p i c i nu s, t h e Roman g e n e ral invi t e d F r i t i ge rn a,
chi e f ,
ROM AN S

tai n o f t h e Goth s to a f e ast and as t h e e v e nt r e v e al e d

, , ,

I 36 d e v i s e d a plot against him But F r i t i ge rn thinki ng

.
,

n o e vi l cam e to t h e f e ast w ith a fe w fol low e rs Whil e

,
.

h e was din ing in t h e pra e tori um h e h e ard t h e dying

cri e s o f hi s il l fat e d m e n fo r by or d e r o f t h e g e n e ral
-

, , ,

t h e soldi e rs w e r e s l a ying h i s com p anions w h o w e r e s hut -

up i n anoth e r part o f t h e hou s e Th e loud c ri e s o f t h e .

dying f e ll upon e ar s al r e ady s u s pi cious and F r i t i ge r n at ,

onc e pe rc e iv e d t h e tr e ach e rous t ri ck H e d r e w hi s sword .

and wi th gr e at cou rag e dash e d quickly f rom t h e banqu e t

ing hall r e scu e d hi s m e n f rom th e i r thr e at e ning doom
-

I 37 and incit e d th e m to slay t h e Romans Thu s th e s e val iant .

m e n gain e d t h e chanc e th e y had l ong e d fo r to be f r e e to —

di e i n battl e rath e r t han t o p e rish o f hung e r and imm e —

di a t e l y took arm s to kill t h e g e n e ral s L u pi c i n u s an d

Maxim u s Thus that day put an e n d t o t h e famin e o f t h e
.

Goths and t h e s a f e ty o f t h e Romans for t h e Goths no ,

'
 90 J ORDA N E S I OR I G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

l ong e r a s strang e rs and pilgrims but as citi z e ns and lord s , ,

b e gan t o rul e t h e i nhabitants and t o h o l d i n th e i r own

right all t h e north e rn country a s f ar as t h e D anub e .

E M P EROR Wh e n t h e Emp e ror Val e ns h e ard o f this at A nti och , 1 3 8

VA LE N S
D EFEA T E D h e mad e r e ady an a rmy at onc e and s e t out fo r t h e coun
A ND S L A I N
A D 3 78
. .
try o f Thrac e H e r e a gri e vous battl e took plac e and t h e
.

Goths pr e vail e d Th e Emp e ro r h ims e l f was wound e d and

.

fl e d to a farm n e ar H ad ri anopl e Th e Goths not know .

,

ing that an e mp e ro r l ay hidd e n i n so poor a hut s e t fi r e ,

to i t ( as i s customary i n d e aling w i th a c ru e l fo e ) and ,

t hu s h e wa s c r e mat e d in royal s pl e ndor Pl ai nly i t was .

a di r e ct j udgm e nt o f God that h e shoul d be bu rn e d wi th

fi r e by t h e v e ry m e n who m h e had p e r fi di o u s l y l e d ast ray
-

wh e n th e y sought t h e tru e faith turning th e m asi d e f rom ,

t h e flam e o f l ove i nto t h e fi r e o f h e ll From this tim e t h e .

Vi sigoths i n co n s e qu e nc e o f th e i r gl or ious vi ctor y po s

, ,

s e ss e d Thrac e and D aci a R i pe n s i s as i f i t w e r e th e i r

nativ e l and .

Gr a t i a n
3 6 7 3 83
- X X V I I N ow i n t h e plac e o f Val e ns his uncl e t h e , ,
I 39
Emp e ro r Gratian e stablish e d Th e od o siu s t h e S paniard i n
H OS TI LE t h e East e rn Empi r e M il i tary di s ci plin e w as soon re
R E L A TI O N S
.

W IT H R O M E sto r e d to a high l e v e l and t h e Goth p e rc e iving that t h e

, ,
E N DE D B Y
A T R U CE cowa rdic e and sloth o f form e r princ e s was e nd e d b e cam e ,

a f rai d Fo r t h e Emp e ror was fam e d al ik e for his acut e

.

Th e o d o s i u s
n e ss and discr e ti on By st e rn co mmands an d by g e n e r
.

3 7 9 39 5
-

o s i t y and kin dn e ss h e e ncou rag e d a d e mo rali z e d army to

d e e ds o f daring B ut wh e n t h e sol di e rs who had oh

.
,
1 40
t a i n e d a b e tt e r l e ad e r by t h e chang e gai n e d n e w co n fi ,

d e nc e th e y s ou ght to at tack t h e Goths and driv e th e m

,

f rom t h e bord e rs o f Thrac e, B ut a s t h e Emp e ror T h e o

do s i u s f e ll so s i ck at thi s tim e t hat hi s l i f e w as almost
d e spai r e d o f t h e Goths w e r e again inspi r e d wi th cou rag e
, .

D ivi ding t h e Gothi c army F r i t i ge rn s e t o u t to plund e r

,

Th e ssa l y Epi rus and A chaia whil e Al a t h e u s and S a fra c

, ,

w ith t h e r e st o f t h e t roops mad e for Pann o ni a N ow t h e . I 41

Emp e ror Gratian had at thi s tim e r e tr e at e d f rom Rom e to
 92 J OR DA N E S I ORI GI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

Emp e ro r Constantin e was now r e n e w e d and th e y w e r e

agai n call e d A lli e s A nd sinc e t h e Empe ror kn e w that
.

th e y w e r e faith ful t o him and hi s f ri e nds h e took f rom ,

th e i r numb e r mo r e than tw e nty thousand w arri ors t o

s e rv e against t h e ty rant Eug e nius who had slai n Gratian
and s e i z e d Gaul A ft e r w inning t h e vi ctory o v e r thi s
.

u s u rp e r h e w r e ak e d hi s v e ng e anc e upon him

,
.

X X I X B ut a ft e r Th e odosius t h e lov e r o f p e ac e an d ,
I 46
o f t h e Gothi c rac e had pass e d f rom human ca r e s hi s
, ,

A L AR I C I sons b e gan to ruin both e mpi r e s by th e i r luxu ri ous l ivi ng

KI N G
OF TH E
and to d e priv e th ei r A l li e s that i s to say t h e Goths o f t h e , ,

GO T H S customa ry gi fts Th e cont empt o f t h e Goths fo r t h e

.

395 41 0
-

Romans soon i ncr e as e d and for f e a r th e i r valo r w o ul d be

,

d e st roy e d by l ong p e ac e th e y appoi nt e d A lari c king o v e r

,

th e m H e w as o f famous stock and his nobi li ty w a s

.
,

s e cond only to that o f t h e A mal i fo r h e cam e f rom t h e ,

f amily o f t h e Bal thi who b e cau s e o f th e i r daring val or

,

ha d l ong ago r e c e iv e d among th e i r rac e t h e nam e B a l i /1 a ,

I 47
that i s Th e B old Now wh e n thi s A la ri c wa s mad e king
,
.
,

h e took couns e l wi th h i s m e n and p e rsuad e d th e m to s e e k

a kingdom by th e i r own e x e rti ons rath e r than s e rv e oth e rs
S ti l i ch o an d
Au r e l i a n i n i dl e n e ss I n t h e consulshi p o f Stil icho and A u r e li an
.
'

Co n s u l s i n h e rais e d an a rmy and e nt e r e d I taly which s e e m e d to be ,

400
ba r e o f d e f e nd e rs and cam e through Pa nnonia and S i r
,

mium along t h e right si d e Wi thout m e e ting any r e sist .

anc e h e r e ach e d t h e bridg e o f t h e riv e r Ca n di di a n u s at

,

t h e thi rd mil e ston e f rom t h e royal ci ty o f Ra v e nna .

Thi s city l i e s ami d t h e str e ams o f t h e Po b e tw e e n I 48

D ESCR I P TI O N
OF swamps and t h e s e a and i s acc e ssibl e o nly on o n e s i d e
, .

R A VE N N A I ts anci e nt i nhabi tants a s ou r anc e stors r e lat e w e r e , ,

“
call e d a i l/€7 0 5 that i s Laudabl e
, S ituat e d i n a corn e r
, .
”

o f t h e Roman Empi r e abov e t h e I on ian S e a i t i s h e mm e d ,

i n lik e an island by a fl ood o f ru s hing wat e rs O n t h e . I 49

e ast it has t h e s e a and o n e who s ails st raight to i t f rom
,

t h e r e gion o f Corcyra and tho se parts o f H e llas sw e e ps

w ith hi s oars al ong t h e right hand coast first touching ,
 T H E G OT H I C H I S TO RY

Epi rus th e n D almatia L i bu rn i a and H istri a and at l ast

, ,

t h e V e n e ti an I sl e s But o n t h e w e st it h a s s wamp s
.

through whi ch a so rt o f doo r has b e e n l e ft by a v e ry

na rrow e nt ranc e To t h e north i s an arm o f t h e Po
.
,

call e d t h e F o ssa As co n i s O n t h e so u t h lik e w i s e i s t h e

’

1 50
-
.

Po its e l f which th e y call t h e King o f t h e riv e rs o f I taly ;

,

an d i t h as al s o t h e nam e Eri danus This riv e r was tu rn e d .

asid e by t h e Emp e ror A ugustus i nto a v e ry b road canal

whi ch flows through t h e mi dst o f t h e ci ty with a s e v e nth
part o f its str e am a ffo rding a pl e a s ant harbo r at i ts
,

mouth M e n b e l i e v e d in anci e nt tim e s as D i o r e lat e s

.
, ,

that i t woul d hol d a fl e e t o f two hundr e d and fi fty v e ss e ls

in i ts sa f e anchorag e Fabi us say s that thi s which was
.
,

onc e a harbo r now di spl ays i ts e l f l ik e a s paci ou s gard e n

,

full o f t r e e s ; bu t fro m t h e m hang not s ai l s but a ppl e s

. .

Th e city its e l f boasts o f thr e e nam e s and i s happi ly pl ac e d

i n i t s thr e e fol d location I m e an t o say t h e fir s t i s cal l e d
.

Rav e nna and t h e most di stant pa rt Classi s ; whi l e midway

b e tw e e n t h e city and t h e s e a i s Ca e sar e a full o f luxu ry , .

Th e sand o f t h e b e ach i s fi n e and s uit e d fo r ri ding .

X X X But a s I wa s s aying wh e n t h e army o f t h e , H o no ri u s

Vi sigoths had com e i nto t h e n e ighborhood o f thi s ci ty ,
3 9 3 423
-

th e y s e nt an e mbassy to t h e Emp e ro r H onorius who ,

dw e l t wi thin Th e y sai d that i f h e woul d p e rmit t h e

.
H O N OR I U S
G RA NT S TH
Goths t o s e tt l e p e ac e ably i n I taly th ey would so l iv e wi th , GO T H S L A NI
1 N GA U L A ]
t h e Roman p e o pl e that m e n might b e l i e v e th e m both to
S PA I N
be o f o n e rac e ; but i f not who e v e r pr e vail e d in war ,

shoul d d riv e out t h e o th e r and t h e victo r shoul d h e nc e ,

f o rth rul e unmol e st e d But t h e Emp e ro r H on orius f e a r e d

.

t o mak e e ith e r promis e So h e took coun s e l w ith hi s

.

s e nat e and consid e r e d how h e might d riv e th e m f rom t h e

1 53 I talian bord e rs H e finally d e ci d e d that A l ari c and hi s
.

rac e i f th e y w e r e abl e to do s o shoul d be allow e d to

, ,

s e iz e fo r th e i r o wn hom e t h e provinc e s fa rth e st awa y ,

nam e ly Gaul and Spain For at this tim e h e had almost .

l ost th e m and mor e ov e r th e y had b e e n de v a s t e d by t h e

,
 94 J ORDA N E S Z OR I G I N A ND D EE D S OF T H E GO T H S

inv asi on o f Gais e ri c king o f t h e Vandal s Th e grant

, .

was confi rm e d by an i mp e ri al r e script , and t h e Got hs ,

cons e nting t o t h e arrang e m e nt s e t out fo r t h e country ,

giv e n th e m .

Wh e n th e y had gon e away wi thout doing any harm 1 54

i n I taly Stil icho t h e Patri cian and fath e r i n law o f
, ,
— -

t h e Emp e ror H onori u s fo r t h e Emp e ror had marri e d

—

S TI LI C H o
’
s both hi s daught e rs M ari a and Th e rm a n t i a i n s ucc e s
, ,

T REAC H ERO U S
A TT AC K si on bu t Go d call e d both f rom thi s w orl d i n th e i r vi r
,

402 gi n pu rity thi s Sti l icho I s ay t r e ach e rous l y hu rri e d

—

, ,

to P o l l e n t i a a city i n t h e C o ttian A lps Th e r e h e f e l l

, .

upon t h e unsusp e cting Goths i n battl e to t h e ru in o f all ,

I taly and h i s own di sgrac e Wh e n t h e Goths sudd e nly

. I
55
b e h e l d him at fir s t th e y w e r e t e rri fi e d So o n r e gaining
, .

th e i r cou rag e and a rousing e ach oth e r by brav e shouting ,

as i s th e i r cu s tom th e y tu rn e d to fl ight t h e e nti r e army

,

o f S ti licho and almost e xt e rmi nat e d i t Th e n forsaking .

t h e j ou rn e y th e y had und e rtak e n t h e Goths w i th h e arts ,

full o f rag e r e turn e d agai n to Ligu ri a wh e nc e th e y

had s e t out Wh e n th e y had pl und e r e d and spoi l e d i t
.
,

th e y al so lai d wast e A e mi lia and th e n hast e n e d t oward

,

t h e C ity o f Rom e al ong t h e Fl aminian Way whi ch runs ,

b e tw e e n P i c e n u m and Tu s c i a taking a s booty what ,

e v e r th e y found o n e ith e r hand Wh e n th e y finally e m . 1 56

A L AR I CI ’

SAC K S R O M E t e r e d Rom e by A l aric s e xpr e ss command th e y m e r e ly

,

A D 410
. .
sack e d i t an d di d not s e t t h e ci ty o n fi re as w il d p e opl e s ,

u sually do nor di d th e y p e rmi t s e r i ou s damag e to be don e

,

to t h e holy pl ac e s Th e nc e th e y d e part e d to bring lik e

.

rui n upon Campani a and Lucania and th e n cam e to ,

B ru tt i i
. H e r e th e y r e main e d a long tim e an d plann e d to
go t o Si cily and th e nc e to t h e countri e s o f A f rica .

N ow t h e land o f t h e B r u t t ii i s at t h e e xtr e m e south e rn

bound o f I taly and a corn e r o f i t ma rks t h e b e ginning o f
t h e A p e nnin e m o untains I t str e tch e s out lik e a tongu e
.

into t h e A d riati c S e a an d s e pa rat e s i t f rom t h e Tyrrh e nian

wat e rs I t chanc e d to r e c e iv e i ts n am e i n anci e nt ti m e s
.
 96 J O R D ANES : O R I G I N AN D D EED S O F T H E G O T H S

ou t fo r Gaul l e aving H on o ri us A ugustus s t ripp e d o f hi s

,

w e al th t o be sur e y e t pl e as e d at h e art b e cau s e h e was

, ,

now a sor t o f ki nsman o f his U pon hi s a rrival t h e .

n e ighbori ng trib e s who had l on g m ad e cru e l rai ds i nto

Gau l F ranks and Burgundi ans alik e w e r e t e r rifi e d and
— —

b e gan to k e e p w i thin th e i r own bo rd e rs Now t h e .

Vanda l s and t h e Al ani as we hav e sai d b e for e had b e e n

, ,

dw e l l ing i n bot h P a n n o n i a s by p e rmi ssion o f t h e Rom an

Emp e ro rs Y e t f e aring th e y w oul d not be sa f e e v e n h e r e
.

i f t h e Goths shou l d r e tu rn th e y cross e d ov e r into Gaul

, .

But no l ong tim e a ft e r th e y had t ak e n pos s e ssi on o f Gau l 1 62

th e y fl e d th e nc e an d shut th e ms e l v e s up in Spain fo r th e y ,

still r e m e mb e r e d f rom t h e tal e s o f th e i r f or e fath e rs what

rui n Ge be ri ch king o f t h e Goths had long ago brought
, ,

on th e i r rac e and h ow by hi s valo r h e had d riv e n th e m

,

f rom th e i r nativ e land A nd thus i t happ e n e d that Gaul

.

l ay o p e n t o At h av u l f wh e n h e cam e No w wh e n t h e . 1 63
Goth had e stabl i sh e d hi s k ingdom i n Gaul h e b e gan to ,

gri e v e fo r t h e pl ight o f t h e Spaniards and p l ann e d to

sav e th e m f rom t h e attacks o f t h e Vandal s So At h av u l f .

l e ft w ith a fe w faith ful m e n a t Ba rc e lona his tr e asur e s and

thos e wh o w e r e un fit fo r wa r and e nt e r e d t h e i nt e rior o f
,

S pain H e r e h e fought f r e qu e nt l y with t h e Vandal s and

.
,

in t h e thi rd y e a r a ft e r h e had sub du e d Gau l and Spain f e l l ,

pi er c e d through t h e groi n by t h e swo rd o f E u e rv u l f a ,

KI NG man w hos e sho rt statu r e h e had b e e n w o nt to m ock A ft e r .

S EGER I C hi s d e ath S e ge r i c was appoint e d king bu t h e t o o was sl ain

,

415
by t h e t r e ach e ry o f hi s own m e n and lo s t both hi s kingdom
and hi s l i f e e v e n mo re qui ck l y than At h a v u l f .

X X X I I Th e n Vali a t h e fou rth f rom A la ric was

, , 1 64
KI NG VALI A mad e king and h e wa s an e xc e e ding s t e rn and prud e nt
,

41 5 -

41 9 man Th e Emp e ro r H onoriu s s e nt an a rmy against him

.

und e r Constantius wh o was fam e d for his achi e v e m e nt s

,

in wa r and di sti ngui sh e d in many battl e s for h e f e ar e d ,

 T H E GOT H I C H I STO RY 0
J 7

that Vali a wou l d b r e ak t h e t r e aty long ago mad e with

At h av u l f and that a ft e r driving out t h e n e ighbori n g
,

trib e s h e woul d agai n pl o t e vi l against t h e Empi r e

,
.

Mo r e ov e r H onorius wa s e ag e r t o f r e e hi s s i s t e r Placi di a
f rom t h e di s grac e o f s e rv i tud e and mad e an agr e e m e nt
,

wi th Constantius that i f by p e ac e or w a r or any m e ans

so e v e r h e coul d bring h e r back to t h e kingdom h e s houl d ,

hav e h e r i n ma rri ag e Pl e as e d wi th thi s prom i s e Con

.
,

s t a n t i u s s e t out fo r Spain wi th an a rm e d fo rc e and in

almost royal spl e ndo r V ali a king o f t h e G o ths m e t him

.
'
, ,

at a pass i n t h e Pyr e n e e s w ith as gr e at a forc e H e r e .

upon e mbassi e s w e r e s e nt by both si d e s and i t was d e ci d e d

to mak e p e ac e on t h e fol l o wing t e rms nam e ly that Vali a,

’
s houl d giv e up P l acid ia t h e Emp e ror s si st e r and should
, ,

not r e fus e :to ai d t h e Roman Empi r e wh e n oc ca s ion

d e mand e d .

N ow at that tim e a c e rtai n Constantin e usu rp e d impe

Co n s t a n t i n e
rial pow e r i n Gaul and a ppoi nt e d as Ca e sar hi s s on Con
407 4I I
-

stans who was form e rly a monk But wh e n h e had h e l d

,
. Co n s t a n s
407 -

41 I
fo r a shor t tim e t h e Empi r e h e had s e iz e d h e wa s hi ms e l f ,

s l ain at A r e l a t e and his son at Vi e nn e j o v i n u s and.

J ov inu s
S e bastian succ e e d e d th e m wi th e qual pr e sumption and 41 1 -

41 3
thought th e y might s e iz e t h e imp e rial pow e r ; but th e y S e ba s t i a n
p e ri sh e d by a l ik e f at e .
412

No w i n t h e tw e l fth y e ar o f Val i a s r e ign t h e H un s

’
66
VALIA
w e r e d riv e n out o f Pannoni a by t h e Roman s and Goth s . M OVES A G A I N
TH E
almost fi fty y e ars a ft e r th e y had tak e n po s s e s s i on o f it .
VA N DAL S
Th e n Vali a found that t h e Vandal s had com e fo rth with 42 7

bol d audacity f rom t h e int e rio r o f Gal i ci a whith e r A th a ,

vnl f had long ago d riv e n th e m and w e r e d e vastating and

,

plund e ring e v e rywh e r e i n h i s o wn t e rri t o ri e s nam e ly i n ,

t h e land o f Spain . S o h e mad e no d e l ay but mov e d hi s

a rmy against th e m at onc e at about t h e tim e wh e n H i e r
,

i us and A rda bu r e s had b e com e consul s .

67 X X X I I I But Gai s e ri c king o f t h e Vandals had a l

, ,

re a dv b e e n i nvi t e d into A f ri ca by Boni fac e w h o had ,

 98 J O R D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D DEE D S O F TH E GOT H S

fall e n into a di s put e w ith t h e Emp e ro r Val e nt ini an and

w a s abl e to obtai n r e v e nge only by i nj u ring t h e Empi r e .

TH E V A ND A L S S o h e i nvit e d th e m u rg e ntly and brought th e m acros s t h e

AND narrow strai t known as t h e Strai t o f Gad e s scarc e ly s e v e n ,
GA I SER I C T H E I R
KI N G mi l e s wid e whi ch divi d e s A f rica f rom Spain and uni t e s
,

42 7 47 7
‘

t h e mouth o f t h e Tyrrh e nian S e a w ith t h e wat e rs o f

O c e an Gai s e ri c still famous i n t h e Ci ty for t h e di sast e r

.
, 1 68
o f t h e Romans wa s a man o f mod e rat e h e ight and l am e
,

i n con s e qu e nc e o f a fal l f rom hi s hors e H e w as a man .

o f d e e p thought and fe w wo rds holding l uxu ry i n di s ,

da in fu ri ous in hi s ang e r gr e e dy f or gain shr e w d in

, , ,

wi nning ov e r t h e barba ri an s and s kill e d in sowing t h e

s e e ds o f di ss e nsion t o arous e e nmity Such was h e wh o .
,
I 69
as we hav e sai d cam e at t h e sol ici tous i nvitati on o f B oni
,

fac e to t h e co unt ry o f A f ri ca Th e r e h e r e ign e d fo r a .

l ong tim e r e c e ivi ng authori ty as th e y say f rom God

, , ,

H ims e l f B e for e his d e ath h e s ummon e d t h e band o f hi s

.

so n s an d ordain e d that th e r e shoul d be n o stri f e among

th e m b e caus e o f d e si r e fo r t h e ki ngdom but that e ach ,

shoul d r e ign in hi s o wn rank and ord e r as h e su rviv e d

t h e oth e rs ; that i s t h e n e xt young e r s houl d succ e e d hi s
,

e l d e r broth e r and h e i n tu rn shoul d be f ollow e d by hi s

,

j uni o r By giving h e e d to t hi s command th e y rul e d th e i r

.

kingdom in happin e ss fo r t h e spac e o f many y e ars and

w e r e n o t di s grac e d by civi l war as i s usual among oth e r ,

n ation s ; on e a ft e r t h e oth e r r e c e iving t h e kingdom an d

rul ing t h e p e opl e i n p e ac e .

Th e s i x k i ng s N ow thi s i s th e i r o rd e r o f succ e ssion : fi rst Gai s e ri c

f t h e V a n da l s ,

427 53 4
-
w h o was t h e fath e r and l ord n e xt H u n e r i c t h e thi rd , ,

Gu n t h am u n d t h e f ou rth Th r a s am u n d an d t h e fi fth
, ,

I l de r i c h. H e was driv e n f rom his thron e an d slain

by Ge l i m e r who d e stroy e d h i s rac e by d i sr e ga rding
,

’
hi s anc e sto r s advic e and s e tting up a tyranny But .

what h e had d o n e di d not r e mai n unpunish e d for soon ,

t h e v e ng e anc e o f t h e Emp e ro r J ustini an was mani

fe s t e d against him With hi s wh o l e family an d that
.
 I OO J ORDA N E S I ORI G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

in t h e land o f Scythia and cam e to t h e kingdom o f t h e

,

Vi sigoths W e ll aw ar e o f hi s val or and nobl e bi rth h e

.
,

M I G RA TI O N
) F TH E A M ALI b e li e v e d that t h e kingdom woul d be t h e mor e r e adily
To TH E
b e s tow e d upon him by hi s kinsm e n inasmuch as h e was
V I S I GOTH S ,

known to be t h e h e i r o f many k ings A nd wh o would .

h e si tat e to c hoos e on e o f t h e A mal i i f th e r e w e r e an e mpty

,

th ron e ? But h e wa s not hims e l f e ag e r to mak e known

who h e was and so upon t h e d e ath o f Val ia th e Vi si
,

TH EODORI D I goths mad e Th e o do r i d hi s succ e sso r B e re m u d cam e to .

4 1 9 45 I
-

him and w i th t h e str e ngth o f mind for whi ch h e w a s

,

not e d conc e al e d h i s nobl e bi rth by pru d e nt S il e nc e fo r h e

, ,

kn e w t hat thos e o f royal l in e ag e a re alway s di st ru s t e d by

kings So h e su ff e r e d hims e l f to r e main unknown that
.
,

h e might not bring t h e e stab l ish e d o rd e r into con fusi on .

Ki ng Th e o do ri d r e c e iv e d hi m and hi s son w ith sp e ci al

hon o r and mad e hi m partn e r i n his couns e l s and a com
pani on at hi s board ; not fo r hi s nobl e bi rth whi ch h e ,

kn e w not but fo r hi s brav e spi rit and st rong mind which

, ,

B e r e m u d coul d not conc e al .

X X X I V A nd what mo r e ? Val ia ( to r e p e at what w e 1 76

hav e sai d ) ha d but l ittl e succ e ss agai nst t h e Gaul s but ,

wh e n h e di e d t h e m o r e fortun a t e and prosp e ro us Th e o

do r i d succ e e d e d to t h e thron e H e wa s a man o f t h e
.

gr e at e st mod e ration and notabl e f or vigo r o f mi nd and

Co n s u l s h i p o f
Th e o do s i u s
body I n t h e consulship o f Th e odosi us and F es tus t h e
.

43 9 Romans br o k e t h e truc e and took u p arms against him i n

Gaul wi th t h e H uns as th e i r auxil iari e s F o r a band o f
, .

t h e Gall i c A lli e s l e d by Count Ga ina had arous e d t h e

, ,

Roman s by throwing Constantino pl e i nt o a pani c N ow .

at that tim e t h e Patrici an Aet i u s w a s i n command o f t h e

army H e w a s o f t h e brav e st Mo e s i an s t ock t h e s o n o f
.
,

FI RS T B REA CH Ga u de n t i u s and born i n t h e ci ty o f D u r o s t o ru m H e w a s a .

B E T W EE N
TH EODOR I D I man fitt e d to e ndur e t h e toil s o f wa r born e xpr e s sly to ,

AND TH E
s e rv e t h e Roman stat e ; and by infl icting c rushing d e f e ats
RoMA N s
h e had comp e ll e d t h e prou d S u a v i and barba rous F ranks
to submit to Roman sway S O th e n w ith t h e H un s as
.
,
I 77
 T H E G OT H I C H I S TO R Y I OI

all i e s und e r th e i r l e ad e r L i t or i u s t h e Roman ar m y ,

mov e d i n a rray against t h e Goths Wh e n t h e battl e .

Th e Tru c
43 9
l in e s o f both si d e s had b e e n standing fo r a long tim e
o pposi t e e ach ot h e r both b e ing brav e and n e ith e r sid e t h e
,

w e ak e r th e y struck a t ruc e and r e turn e d to th e i r anci e nt

,

allianc e A nd a ft e r t h e tr e aty had been confi rm e d by

.

both and an hon e st p e ac e wa s e stabl i sh e d th e y bot h ,

w ithd r e w .

D uri ng thi s p e ac e A ttila w a s lord ov e r all t h e H uns

and almo st t h e so l e e arthly rul e r o f all t h e trib e s o f
S cythia ; a man ma rv e llous fo r hi s glori ou s fam e among
al l nations Th e hi sto rian P r i s c u s who was sent t o him
.
,
E m ba s s y t
A tt i l a
o n an e mbassy by t h e young e r Th e odosius says thi s ,
448
“
among oth e r things : Crossing mighty ri v e rs nam e ly —

t h e Tisi a and Ti bi s i a and D r i cc a we cam e to t h e plac e

—

wh e r e long ago V i di go i a b rav e st o f t h e Goths p e r i sh e d

, ,

by t h e gui l e o f t h e Sarmati ans A t no gr e at di s tanc e .

f rom that plac e we arriv e d at t h e v illag e w h e r e Ki ng

A ttil a was dw e ll ing a vi llage I s ay l ik e a gr e at ci ty
, , , ,

i n which we found wood e n wall s mad e o f smooth shining —

boards w hos e j oints s o count e r f e it e d s o li di ty that t h e

,

union o f t h e boa rds coul d sc arc e ly be d istin gui sh e d by

clos e scru tiny Th e r e you might s e e dining hall s o f
.

l arg e e xt e nt and p ortico e s pl ann e d w ith gr e at b e auty ,

whi l e t h e cou rtya rd wa s bound e d by so vast a ci rcuit that

”
its v e ry siz e s how e d i t was t h e r oyal pal ac e Thi s was .
.

t h e abod e o f A tti la t h e king o f all t h e barbarian worl d ;

,

an d h e pr e f e rr e d thi s a s a dw e lling to t h e citi e s h e

captur e d .

C H ARA CTEI
X XX V No w thi s A tti l a w as t h e son o f Mu n d i u c h ,
OF A TTI L A
and hi s broth e rs w e r e Oct a r and Ruas w h o a re said to K I N G OF TI
H UNS
hav e rul e d b e for e A ttil a though not ov e r quit e s o many
,

trib e s as h e A ft e r th e i r d e ath h e succ e e d e d to t h e thron e

.

o f t h e H uns tog e th e r w i th hi s b roth e r Bl e da I n ord e r

,
.

that h e might fi rst be e qual to t h e e xp e dition h e was

pr e paring h e sough t to incr e as e h i s s tr e ngth by murd e r
,
.
 I OZ J ORDA N E S Z OR I GI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S
‘

t i l a a n d B l e da Thus h e proc e e d e d f rom t h e d e struction o f h i s o wn kin

j om t k i ngs
dr e d to t h e m e nac e o f al l oth e rs But though h e incr e as e d. 1 81
hi s pow e r by thi s sham e ful m e an s y e t by t h e balanc e O f ,

j ustic e h e r e c e iv e d t h e hi d e ous cons e qu e nc e s o f hi s own

c ru e lty N ow wh e n hi s broth e r B l e da who rul e d o v e r
.
,
At t i l a s o l e
kin g a gr e at part o f t h e H uns had b e e n slai n by hi s t r e ach e ry
, ,

A ttil a unit e d all t h e p e o p l e und e r hi s own rul e Gath .

e ring al so a hos t O f t h e oth e r t rib e s whi ch h e th e n h e l d

und e r his sway h e sought t o subdu e t h e for e m ost nations

,

o f t h e worl d t h e Roman s and t h e Vi sigoths H i s army

—

. 1 82
i s sai d to hav e numb e r e d fi v e hund r e d thousand m e n .

H e was a man born i nto t h e wo rl d to shak e t h e nati ons ,

t h e scou rg e o f all lands who i n som e way t e rri fi e d al l

,

mankin d by t h e dr e ad fu l rum o rs noi s e d abroad conc e rn

i ng hi m H e w as haughty i n hi s walk rol l ing hi s e y e s
.
,

hith e r an d thi th e r s o that t h e pow e r o f his proud spi ri t

,

app e a r e d i n t h e mov e m e nt o f hi s body H e was i nd e e d .

a l ov e r o f wa r y e t r e strain e d i n acti o n m ighty in coun

, ,

sel , graci ous to suppl iants and l e ni e nt t o thos e who w e r e

onc e r e c e iv e d i nto hi s prot e ction H e was short o f stat .

u re wi th a broad ch e st and a l arg e h e ad ; hi s e y e s w e r e

,

smal l h is b e ard thin and sprink l e d w ith gray ; and h e had

,

a flat nos e and a swa rthy compl e xion showing t h e e v i ,

de n c e s o f h is origi n A n d though hi s t e mp e r w as s uc h
. 1 83

that h e alw ays had gr e at s e l f co n fi de n c e y e t hi s assu r -

anc e w a s i ncr e as e d by finding t h e sword O f Mars a l ways ,

e s t e e m e d sacr e d among t h e kings o f t h e Scythi ans Th e .

hi sto rian P r i s c u s s ays i t w as di scov e r e d und e r t h e f ol

“
low ing ci rcumstanc e s : Wh e n a c e rtain sh e ph e rd b e h e l d
o n e h e i f e r o f hi s fl ock limping and coul d find no caus e

fo r this wound h e anxiou s l y follow e d t h e t rai l o f blood

,

and at l e ngth cam e to a swo rd it had unwitting l y trampl e d

whil e nibbl in g t h e grass H e dug i t up and too k i t
.

straight to A ttil a H e r e j oi c e d at th i s gi ft and b e ing

.
,

amb itious t hought h e had b e e n appoint e d rul e r o f t h e

,
 I O4 J OR DA N E S I ORI G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

L EA G UE 0F uni t e against t h e lord o f t h e e arth wh o wi s h e s to e nsl av e

TH E
V I S I G OT H S t h e whol e worl d ; who r e qui r e s no j ust caus e for battl e ,

AN D RO MANS but suppos e s what e v e r h e do e s i s right H e m e asur e s

A GA I N S T
.

A TTI L A hi s ambiti on by h i s might L ic e ns e sati sfi e s hi s pri d e . .

45 1
D e spising law and right h e show s hi ms e l f an e n e my t o
,

N atu r e h e rs e l f A n d thus h e who cl e ar l y i s t h e common

.
,

foe o f e ach d e s e rv e s t h e hatr e d o f all

,
Pray r e m e mb e r . 1 88

wh at you su r e ly cannot fo rg e t that t h e H uns do no t —

ov e rth row nati ons by m e ans o f war wh e r e th e r e i s an ,

e qual chanc e , but assail th e m by t r e ach e ry which i s a ,

gr e at e r caus e fo r a nxi e ty To say nothi ng about our .

s e lv e s , can you su ff e r such i nso l e nc e to go unpuni sh e d ?

S inc e you a re mighty in a rms giv e h e e d t o you r o w n ,

dang e r and j oin h ands w ith us i n common B e a r ai d .

a l so to t h e Empi r e o f whi ch y o u hol d a part I f you

, .

w o ul d l e a rn how such an al li anc e shoul d be sought and

”
w e lcom e d by us l ook into t h e p l ans o f t h e fo e
,
.

By th e s e an d l ik e a rgum e nts t h e ambassadors o f V a 1 89

l e n t i n i a n p r e vail e d upon King Th e o do r i d H e answ e r e d .

“
th e m saying : Romans you hav e attain e d you r d e si r e ;
, ,

you hav e mad e A ttil a ou r fo e also W e w ill purs u e .

hi m wh e r e v e r h e summons us and though h e i s pu ff e d ,

up by h i s vi cto ri e s ov e r d iv e rs rac e s y e t t h e Goths know ,

how to fight t hi s haughty foe I cal l no w ar dang e rou s .

s av e o n e whos e caus e i s w e ak ; fo r h e f e ars no i ll on

”
whom M aj e sty has smi l e d Th e nobl e s shout e d ass e nt
. 1 90

t o t h e r e ply and t h e mul ti tud e gladly foll ow e d A l l w e r e .

fi e rc e fo r battl e and long e d t o m e e t t h e H uns th e i r fo e , .

A nd s o a countl e s s ho s t wa s l e d f o rth by Th e o do r i d king ,

TH E
ORCES OF TH E
"
o f t h e Vi sigoth s wh o s e nt h o m e four o f hi s sons nam e ly
, ,

A LL I ES F r i de ri c h and Eurich R e t e m e r and H i m n e r i t h taking

, ,

wi th hi m only t h e two e l d e r sons Th o r i s m u d and Th e o ,

do r i d as partn e rs o f hi s toil
, O brav e a rray su r e de .
,

fe n s e and s w e e t com rad e s hip having t h e ai d o f thos e wh o ,

d e light to s h ar e i n t h e same dang e rs !

 TH E GOT H I C H I STO RY 1 05

O n t h e si d e Romans st o o d t h e Patrician Aet i u s

of t he ,

on whom at that tim e t h e whol e Empi r e o f t h e W e st de

p e nd e d ; a man o f such w i sdom that h e had ass e mbl e d
warrio r s f rom e v e rywh e r e to m e e t th e m on e qual t e rms .

No w th e s e w e r e hi s auxili ari e s : F ran ks Sarmatian s ,

A rmorici ans L i t i c i a n s Burgundi an s Saxons Riparians

, , , , ,

Oli br i o n e s ( onc e Roman soldi e rs and n o w t h e fl ow e r o f

t h e alli e d fo rc e s ) an d som e oth e r C e l ti c o r G e rman trib e s
, .

A nd so th e y m e t i n t h e Catal aunian Plains which a re ,

a l so cal l e d Mau ri ac i a n e xt e nding i n l e ngth o n e hund r e d

,

l e uv a as t h e Gaul s e xpr e ss i t and s e v e nty in width

, , N ow .

a Gal li c [ e m/a m e asu r e s a distanc e o f fi ft e e n hund r e d

pac e s . That porti on o f t h e e arth acco rdingly b e cam e
t h e thr e shing fl o o r o f c ountl es s rac e s
-

Th e two ho s ts .

brav e ly j oin e d battl e N ot hing w as don e und e r cov e r

.
,

but th e y cont e nd e d i n op e n fight What j ust caus e can .

be found fo r t h e e ncount e r o f s o many nations o r what ,

hatr e d inspi r e d th e m all to tak e a rms again s t e ach oth e r ?

I t i s proo f that t h e human rac e l iv e s fo r i ts kings fo r i t i s ,

at t h e mad impuls e o f o n e mind a slaught e r o f nati ons

t ak e s plac e and at t h e whim o f a haughty rul e r that
,

which natu r e has tak e n ag e s to produc e p e ri sh e s i n a

mom e nt .

TH E
X X X V I I But b e for e we s e t forth t h e o rd e r o f t h e B EG I N N I N G
battl e i ts e l f i t s e e m s n e e d ful to r e l at e what had al r e ady OF TH E
,
S T R I FE
happ e n e d i n t h e cours e o f t h e campaign fo r it was not ,

only a famous struggl e but o n e that w a s compl i cat e d and

con fus e d W e l l th e n S a n gi ba n king o f t h e A lani s mit
.
, , ,

t e n wi th f e a r o f what might com e to pass had promi s e d ,

t o su rr e nd e r to A ttila and to giv e into his k e e ping A u r e

,

li ani a city o f Gaul wh e r e in h e th e n dw e lt Wh e n Th e o

,
.
-

do r i d and Aet i u s l e arn e d o f this th e y cast up gr e at e arth

,

wo rks around that ci ty b e for e A ttila s arrival and k e pt ’

watch ov e r t h e susp e ct e d S an gi ba n placi ng him w ith hi s ,

t ri b e i n t h e mi d s t o f th e i r auxiliari e s Th e n A ttila king .

,

o f t h e H uns w a s tak e n aback by thi s e v e nt and los t c o n fi

,
 1 06 J O R D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

d e nc e in h i s own t roop s so t hat h e f e ar e d t o b e gin t h e

,

confl ict Whi l e h e w a s m e ditating on fl ight a gr e at e r

.
—

c al amity than d e ath i ts e l f h e d e cid e d to inqui r e i nt o t h e

—

futur e through soothsay e rs So as wa s th e i r custom

.
, ,
1 96
th e y e xamin e d t h e e ntrails o f cattl e an d c e rtai n str e aks i n
bon e s that had been scrap e d and fo r e tol d disast e r to t h e
,

H uns Y e t as a slight consolation th e y prop h e s i e d that

.

t h e chi e f command e r o f t h e fo e th e y w e r e to m e e t shou l d

fal l and ma r by hi s d e ath t h e r e st o f t h e victory and t h e

triumph N ow A ttil a d e e m e d t h e d e ath o f A ét i u s a thing
.

to be d e si r e d e v e n at t h e cost o f hi s own l i f e fo r Aét i u s ,

s tood i n t h e way o f hi s plans S o although h e w as di s

.

t u rbe d by th i s proph e cy y e t i nasmuch as h e was a man

,

who sought couns e l o f om e ns i n all wa r fa r e h e b e ga n ,

t h e battl e w ith anxi ous h e art at about t h e ninth hou r o f

t h e day i n o rd e r that t h e imp e ndi ng darkn e ss might com e
,

to hi s ai d i f t h e outcom e shoul d be di sast rous .

B A TT L E X XX V I I I Th e armi e s m e t as we hav e sai d i n t h e

OF TH E , ,
I 97
CA T A L A U N I A N Catal auni an Plains Th e battl e fi e l d was a plain ri sing
.

P L AI N S
A D 45 1
. .
by a sharp S lop e to a ridg e whi ch both armi e s sought to
,

gai n ; for advantag e o f pos iti o n i s a gr e at h e l p Th e .

H uns w ith th e i r fo rc e s s e iz e d t h e right si d e t h e Romans , ,

t h e Vi sigoths and th e i r al l i e s t h e l e ft and th e n b e gan a ,

struggl e f or t h e y e t untak e n cr e st N ow Th e o do ri d w ith .

t h e Vi sigoths h e l d t h e right wing and A et i u s wi th t h e

Roman s t h e l e ft Th e y p l ac e d i n t h e c e nt r e S a n gi ba n
.

( who , as sai d b e for e was ,

i n command o f t h e Al ani ) ,

thus cont riving w i th military caution to su rround by a

host o f faith ful troops t h e man i n whos e l oyal ty th e y had
l ittl e con fid e nc e For o n e who h a s di fficulti e s plac e d i n
.

t h e way o f hi s fl ight r e adily submi ts t o t h e n e c e ssi ty o f

fighting O n t h e oth e r si d e how e v e r t h e bat tl e li n e o f
.
, ,
1 98
t h e H uns was s o arrang e d that A ttila and hi s b rav e st
follow e rs w e r e station e d i n t h e c e ntr e I n a rranging .

th e m thus th e king had chi e fly his own sa f e ty i n vi e w .

sinc e by hi s position i n t h e v e ry midst o f hi s rac e h e

1 08 J OR DA N E S I OR I GI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E GOT H S

s ay an ything common nor ought you to l i st e n F or what

,
.

i s war but you r u s ual custom ? O r what i s S w e e t e r fo r a

brav e man than to s e e k r e v e ng e wi th hi s own hand ? I t i s
a right o f natur e to gl ut t h e soul w ith v e ng e anc e .

L e t u s th e n attack t h e foe e ag e rly ; fo r th e y a re e v e r t h e

bol d e r wh o mak e t h e attack D e spis e thi s union o f dis .

co rdant rac e s ! To d e f e nd on e s e l f by all i anc e i s p roo f o f

cowa rdi c e S e e even b e fo r e ou r attack th e y a r e smi tt e n
.
,

with t e rro r Th e y s e e k t h e h e ights th e y s e iz e t h e hi l ls

.
,

and r e p e nting too l at e clamo r for prot e ction agai nst

, ,

battl e i n t h e op e n fi e l ds Y ou know how sl ight a m att e r

.

t h e Roman attack i s Whil e th e y a re still gath e ring i n

.

ord e r and f orm ing in on e l in e w ith l ock e d shi e l ds th e y ,

a r e ch e ck e d I will not say by t h e fi r s t w o und but e v e n

, ,

by t h e dust o f battl e Th e n on to t h e f ray wi th stout

.

h e a rt s as i s you r wont D e spis e th e i r battl e l in e A ttack

, . .

t h e Al ani smi t e t h e Vi sigoths !

, S e e k s wi ft vi cto ry i n
that spot wh e r e t h e battl e rag e s Fo r wh e n t h e s in e ws .

a r e cut t h e l imbs soon r e l ax no r can a body stand wh e n ,

you hav e tak e n away t h e bon e s L e t your cou rag e ri s e .

and you r own fu ry bu r s t forth ! N ow show y ou r cun

n i ng H uns n ow you r d e e ds o f arms ! L e t t h e wound e d
, ,

e xact in r e tu rn t h e d e ath o f his fo e ; l e t t h e unwound e d

r e v e l i n slaught e r o f t h e e n e my N o sp e ar shall ha rm . 2 06

thos e w h o a re s u r e to l iv e ; and thos e who a re sur e to di e

Fat e ov e rtak e s e v e n i n p e ac e A nd final ly wh y sh o ul d .
,

Fortun e hav e mad e t h e H uns vi ctori ous ov e r so many

nations unl e ss i t w e r e to pr e par e th e m fo r t h e j oy o f
,

thi s confli ct Who w a s i t r e v e al e d to ou r S i r e s t h e

.

path th r o ugh t h e Ma e o t i a n swamp f or s o many ag e s a ,

clos e d s e cr e t ? Who mo r e ov e r mad e arm e d m e n yi e l d

, ,

to you wh e n you w e r e as y e t unarm e d ? Ev e n a mass o f

,

f e d e rat e d nations coul d not e ndu r e t h e s ight O f t h e H uns .

I am not d e c e iv e d i n t h e i s su e ; h e r e i s t h e fi e l d s o many
vi ctori e s hav e promi s e d us I shall hurl t h e fir s t s p e a r .

at t h e fo e I f any can stand at r e st whil e A ttil a fights

.
,
 T H E GO T H I C H I S TO R Y 1 09

’
he i s a d e ad man I n fl am e d by th e s e wo rds th e y a l l
.
,

dash e d i nto batt l e .

X L A nd although t h e s ituati on wa s its e l f f e ar ful y e t ,

F I ERCE
F I G H TI N G
t h e pr e s e nc e o f th e i r king disp e ll e d anxi e ty an d h e sita
tion H and to hand th e y clash e d i n battl e and t h e fight
.
,

gr e w fi e rc e con fu s e d monstrous unr e l e nting a fight

, , ,
—

whos e l ik e no anci e n t tim e has e v e r r e cord e d Th e r e such .

d e e ds w e r e don e that a brav e man w h o mi s s e d thi s mar

v e ll o u s sp e ct ac l e coul d not ho pe to s e e anything s o won

de r fu l al l hi s l i f e l ong Fo r i f we may b e li e v e ou r
.
,

e l d e rs
, a brook fl owing b e tw e e n l ow banks through t h e
plain was gr e atly incr e as e d by blood f rom t h e wounds
o f t h e slain I t was no t flood e d by show e r s as brooks
.
,

usually ris e but was swol l e n by a strang e str e am a n d

,

tu rn e d i nto a tor r e nt by t h e i ncr e as e o f bl ood Thos e .

whos e wounds d rov e th e m to slak e th e i r pa rching thi rst

d rank wat e r mingl e d with gor e I n th e i r w r e tch e d plight .

th e y w e r e f orc e d to d rink what th e y thought wa s t h e

b l ood th e y had pour e d f rom th e i r own wound s .

H e r e King Th e o do r i d whi l e ri ding by to e ncou rag e ,

hi s a rmy was thrown f rom hi s hors e and t rampl e d und e r

, D EA T H 01

foot by hi s own m e n thu s e nding h is d ays at a rip e old K I N G TH EODOI

,
IN B AT
'
TH E
a ge . But oth e rs say h e w a s s lain by t h e sp e ar o f A n dag
o f t h e host o f t h e O strogoths wh o w e r e th e n und e r t h e
,

sway o f A ttila Thi s wa s what t h e sooth s ay e r s had tol d

.

to A ttil a i n proph e cy though h e und e rstood it o f A ét i u s

,
.

Th e n t h e Visigoths s e parating fro m th e A l ani f e ll upon

,
-

t h e hord e o f t h e H uns and n e arly sl e w A ttila But h e .

p rud e ntly took flight and st raightway shut hims e l f and

hi s compani ons w ithin t h e barri e rs o f t h e camp which ,

h e h ad f ortifi e d w i th wagons A f rail d e f e n s e ind e e d ;

.

y e t th e r e th e y sought r e fug e for th e i r l iv e s whom bu t a ,

l ittl e whil e whil e b e fo r e n o wall s o f e arth coul d with s tand .

But Th o r i s m u d t h e son o f King Th e o do r i d wh o with

,
.
,

Aet i u s had se i z e d t h e hill and r e pul s e d t h e e n e my f rom

t h e h igh e r ground cam e unwi ttingly to t h e wagons o f
,
1 10 J ORDA N E S I ORI GI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

the e n e my in t h e darkn e s s o f night thinking h e had ,

r e ach e d his own l in e s A s h e wa s fighting brav e ly som e

.
,

o n e w ound e d hi m i n t h e h e ad an d d ragg e d hi m f rom his

ho rs e Th e n h e was r e scu e d by t h e watch ful ca r e o f hi s

.

follow e rs and withd r e w from t h e fi e rc e confl ict Aet i u s . 21 2

al so b e cam e s e parat e d f rom hi s m e n i n t h e con fusion o f

night and w and e r e d about in t h e mi dst o f t h e e n e my .

F e aring disast e r h ad happ e n e d h e w e nt abou t i n s e a rch ,

o f t h e Got hs A t l ast h e r e ach e d t h e camp o f hi s all i e s

.

and pass e d t h e r e maind e r o f t h e night i n t h e prot e ction

o f t h e i r s hi e lds .

A t dawn on t h e foll owing day wh e n t h e Roman s ,

s aw t h e fi e ld s w e r e pil e d high w i th bo di e s and that

t h e H uns di d not v e ntu r e forth th e y thought t h e v ic ,

to ry wa s th e i rs but kn e w that A ttil a woul d not fl e e f rom

,

t h e battl e unl e ss ov e rwh e lm e d by a gr e at di s ast e r Y et '

.

h e di d nothing cowa rdly l ik e o n e that i s ov e rcom e but

, ,

wi th cl ash o f a rms sound e d t h e t rump e ts an d thr e at

e n e d an attack H e was l ik e a li on pi e rc e d by hunting
.

sp e ars who pac e s to an d f ro b e for e t h e mouth o f h i s

,

d e n and da r e s not spring but c e as e s not t o t e rri fy t h e

,

n e ighb o rh o od by his roaring Ev e n s o this wa rlik e king .

a t bay t e rrifi e d h i s conqu e rors Th e r e for e t h e Goths and . 213

Romans ass e mbl e d and consi d e r e d what to do w ith t h e

vanqui sh e d A tti l a Th e y d e t e rmin e d to w e ar hi m out by
.

a s i e g e b e caus e h e h ad no supp l y o f provi si ons and w as

,

hind e r e d f rom approa ching by a show e r o f arrow s f r o m

t h e bowm e n plac e d withi n t h e c o nfin e s o f t h e Roman

cam p B ut i t wa s sai d that t h e king r e main e d supr e m e ly

.

b rav e e v e n in thi s e xt r e mi ty and had h e ap e d u p a fun e ral

pyr e o f hors e sad dl e s s o that i f t h e e n e my shoul d a t
,

tack him h e was d e t e rmin e d to c a st hims e l f i nto t h e

,

flam e s that non e might hav e t h e j oy o f wounding him

,

and that t h e l ord o f so m any rac e s might n o t fal l into

t h e hand s o f hi s fo e s .

X L I N ow du ring th e s e d e l ay s i n t h e si e g e t h e Vi si , 214
 1 12 J ORDA N E S I ORI G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

suspicion i t o ft e n l os e s an opportunity o f doing gr e at

,

things .

I n thi s most famous wa r o f t h e brav e st trib e s o n e h u n ,

-

d r e d and sixty fi v e thousan d a r e sai d to hav e b e e n slai n on

-

both si d e s l e aving out o f account fi ft e e n thou s and o f t h e

,

G e pi da e and F ranks who m e t e ach oth e r th e n ight b e for e

,

t h e g e n e ral e ngag e m e nt and f e l l by woun ds mutually r e

c e i v e d t h e Franks fighting fo r t h e Romans and t h e G e pi
,

da e fo r t h e H uns .

N ow wh e n A ttila l e ar ne d o f t h e r e t r e at o f t h e Goths ,
218

h e thought it a rus e o f t h e e n e my fo r so m e n a r e wont —

t o b e l i e v e wh e n t h e un e xp e ct e d happ e ns and r e main e d —

f o r som e tim e i n hi s camp But w h e n a l ong s il e nc e fol .

l ow e d t h e abs e nc e o f t h e fo e t h e spi rit o f t h e mighty ,

king was arous e d to t h e thought o f vi ctory an d th e anti ci

p a t i o n o f pl e asu r e and hi s m ind ,tu rn e d t o t h e o l d o racl e s
o f h is d e stiny .

Th o ri s m u d how e v e r a ft e r t h e d e ath o f his fath e r o n

, ,

TH ORI S M U D t h e Catal auni an P l ains wh e r e h e had fought advanc e d in ,

45 1 4 53 royal stat e and e nt e r e d Tol osa H e r e although th e throng

-

o f hi s broth e rs and brav e companions w e r e stil l r e j oi cing

ov e r t h e vi cto ry h e y et b e g a n t o rul e so m il dly that no o n e
strov e wi th him fo r t h e succ e ssion to t h e kingdom .

X L I I B u t A ttil a too k occasi on f rom t h e withdrawal

-

219

o f t h e Vi sigoths obs e rving what h e had o ft e n d e si r e d

,

TH E S I E G E t hat hi s e n e mi e s w e r e di vi d e d A t l e ngth f e e l ing s e cu r e

A N D F A LL .
,

OF AQ U IL E I A h e mov e d forw ard hi s a rray t o attack t h e Romans As .

4 52
hi s fi rst mov e h e b e si e g e d t h e city o f A qui l e i a t h e m e ,

t rOpol i s o f V e n e tia which i s s ituat e d on a point or t ongu e

,

o f l and by t h e A d riatic S e a O n t h e e ast e rn si d e its wa ll s

.

a re wash e d by t h e riv e r Na t i s s a flowing f rom Mount ,

P i cc i s
. T h e si e g e w as long and fi e rc e but o f no ava il , ,
2 20

si nc e t h e brav e st so l di e rs o f t h e Romans w ithstood him

f rom within A t l ast hi s army was di scont e nt e d and
.

e ag e r to w ithd raw A tti la chanc e d to be walking around

t h e wa ll s consi d e ring wh e th e r to br e ak camp o r de l av
,
 T H E G OT H I C H I S TO R Y 1 1 3

l ong e r and notic e d that t h e whit e bi rds nam e l y t h e

, , ,

storks who buil d th e i r n e sts in t h e gabl e s o f hous e s w e r e

, ,

b e aring th e i r young f r o m t h e ci ty and contrary to th e i r ,

custom w e r e carrying th e m out i nt o th e count ry B e ing

,
.

a shr e wd obs e rv e r o f e v e nts h e und e rstood th i s and said

,

“
t o hi s s ol di e rs : Y ou s e e t h e bi rd s for e s e e t h e futur e .

Th e y a re l e aving t h e city sur e t o p e ri sh and a r e forsaking

strongholds doom e d t o f al l by r e ason o f immin e nt p e ril .

D O n ot think thi s a m e aningl e s s o r unc e rtain s ign ; f e ar ,

ari sing f rom t h e things th e y fo r e s e e has chang e d th e i r ,

”
custom Why say mor e ? H e i nflam e d t h e h e arts o f
.

hi s so l di e rs to attack A quil e i a again Constructing bat .

t e ri ng rams and bringing to b e ar al l mann e r o f e ngin e s

o f wa r th e y quickly forc e d th e i r way into t h e ci ty lai d it
, ,

w ast e divi d e d t h e s poi l and so c ru e lly d e vastat e d i t a s

,

scarc e ly to l e av e a t rac e to be s e e n Th e n growing bo l d e r

.

and sti ll thi rsting for Ro m an bl o od t h e H uns rag e d ,

madly through t h e r e mai ning citi e s o f t h e Ve n e ti Th e y .

als o l ai d wast e M e dio l anum t h e m e tropoli s o f Ligu ria

, ,

onc e an imp e ri al city and gav e ov e r Ti cinum to a l ik e

,

f at e Th e n th e y d e stroy e d t h e n e ighbo ring count ry i n

.

t h e i r f r e nzy and d e mol i sh e d almost t h e whol e o f I taly .

’
A tti l a s mind had b ee n b e nt on going to R o m e But .
P O P E LE O
hi s follow e rs as t h e historian P r i s cu s r e lat e s t ook him I NT ERVE N E S
T O SA VE
, ,

away not out o f r e gard fo r t h e city to which th e y w e r e

, RO ME
4 52
ho s til e but b e caus e th e y r e m e mb e r e d t h e cas e o f A la ri c
, ,

t h e fo rm e r king o f t h e Visigoths Th e y di s trust e d t h e

.

good fo rtun e o f t h e i r o wn king i nasmuch as A l ari c di d ,

n o t l iv e l ong a ft e r t h e sack o f Rom e but straightway ,

’
d e part e d thi s l i f e Th e r e for e whil e A ttil a s spi ri t was
.

w a v e ri ng in doubt b e tw e e n going and not going and h e ,

still l inge r e d to pond e r t h e matt e r an e mbassy cam e t o ,

him f rom Rom e to s e e k p e ac e Pop e L e o hims e l f cam e

.

to m e e t hi m in th e Am bu l e i a n di strict o f th e V e n e ti at th e
w e ll t rav e ll e d ford o f t h e riv e r M i n c i u s
-
Th e n A tti l a .

qu ickly put asi d e his usual fury tu rn e d back on t h e w ay ,

 1 14 J ORDA N E S Z ORIGI N A ND D EE D S O F TH E GOT H S

he had a dvanc e d f rom b e yond t h e D anub e and d e pa rt e d

wi th t h e promis e o f p e ac e B ut ab o v e all h e d e cla r e d and
.

avow e d wi th thr e ats that h e woul d bring wo r s e things

upon I taly unl e ss th e y s e nt hi m H onoria t h e s i st e r o f t h e
, ,

Emp e ro r Va l e ntini an and da ught e r o f A ugust a Placi di a ,

wi th h e r du e shar e o f t h e r o yal w e al th F o r it was sai d . 2 24

that H onoria although bound t o chastity fo r t h e hono r

,

o f th e imp e ri al c o u rt and k e pt i n constraint by c ommand

o f h e r b roth e r had s e cr e tly d e spatch e d a e unuch to sum
,

m o n A tti l a that s h e might hav e hi s prot e ction agai nst h e r

’
broth e r s pow e r ; a sham e ful thing i nd e e d to ge t l ic e n s e, ,

fo r h e r passion at t h e c o s t o f t h e publi c w e al .

MARC I A N
X L I I I S O A ttila r e tu rn e d to hi s ow n country s e e m 22 5
450 45 7
- ,

ing to r e gr e t t h e p e ac e and to be v e x e d at t h e c e ssati on o f

ATTI L A w ar F o r h e s e nt ambassadors to Marcian Emp e ro r o f
.
,

D EFEA T E D t h e East thr e at e ning to d e vastat e t h e provi nc e s b e caus e

BY , ,

TH ORI S M U D that which had b e e n p romi s e d him by Th e odosi us a fo r ,

m e r e mp e ro r wa s in no wi s e p e r form e d and saying that

, ,

h e w ould show hims e l f mo r e c ru e l to hi s fo e s than e v e r .

But as h e wa s sh r e w d and cra fty h e thr e at e n e d i n o n e ,

di r e cti on and mov e d hi s army i n anoth e r ; fo r in t h e

mi dst o f th e s e pr e pa rations h e tu rn e d hi s fac e tow ards t h e
Vi s igoths w h o had y e t to f e e l hi s v e ng e anc e B ut h e r e . 2 26

h e had not t h e sam e succ e ss as agai nst t h e Romans .

H ast e ning back by a d i ff e r e nt way than b e fo r e h e de ,

ci d e d to r e duc e to hi s sway that pa rt o f t h e A l ani whic h

wa s s e ttl e d acro s s t h e riv e r Loi r e i n o rd e r that by attack
,
'

ing t h e m and thus ch a nging t h e asp e ct o f t h e wa r h e

, ,

might b e com e a mo r e t e rri bl e m e nac e to t h e Vi sigoths .

A ccord ingly h e sta rt e d f rom t h e pr o vi nc e s o f D acia and

P annonia wh e r e t h e H un s w e r e th e n dw e ll ing w ith vari
,

ous s ubj e ct p e opl e s and m o v e d his array against t h e

,

A l ani B ut Th o r i s m u d king o f t h e Vi sigoths w ith l ik e

.
, ,
227
’
qui ckn e s s o f thought p e rc e iv e d A ttil a s trick By forc e d .

ma rch e s h e cam e to t h e A lani b e for e him and was w e l l ,

pr e par e d to ch e ck t h e advanc e o f A ttil a wh e n h e cam e

 1 16 J O RD A N ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S O F TH E GO T H S

f rom t h e t e rritori e s that w e r e n o t hi s own but furth e r ,

mor e that h e shoul d not p r e sum e t o mak e such an att e mpt ,

as h e wa s b e coming hat e d fo r hi s ambition B ut with .

.

“
arrogant spi ri t h e r e pl i e d : I f y o u mu rmu r h e r e and
find fault wi th my coming I s hal l com e to T olo s a wh e r e
,

you dw e ll R e si st m e th e r e i f you can

. Wh e n h e h e ard
,
.
”

this Th e o do r i d was ang ry and maki ng a compact w ith

, ,

al l t h e oth e r t rib e s mov e d h i s array against t h e S u a v i

,
.

H e had as hi s cl os e alli e s Gu n di u c h and H i l pe r i c kings ,

B att l e n e a r
t h e U l bi u s
o f t h e B urgundians Th e y cam e to battl e n e ar t h e riv e r
. 2 32

4 56 U l bi u s which flows b e tw e e n A s t u r i ca and H i be ri a and

, ,

i n t h e e ngag e m e nt Th e o do ri d wi th t h e Vi sigoths wh o ,

fought fo r t h e right cam e off v ic to r i ous ov e rthrowing

, ,

t h e e nti r e trib e o f t h e S u a v i and almost e xt e rminating

th e m Th e i r king R i c i a ri u s fl e d f rom t h e d r e ad fo e and
.

e mba rk e d upon a shi p But h e was b e at e n back by a n

.

oth e r fo e t h e adv e rs e w ind o f t h e Ty r rh e ni a n S e a an d

, ,

so f e ll into t h e hands o f t h e Vi sigoths Thus though .

h e c hang e d f rom s e a t o l a nd t h e w r e tch e d man di d n ot ,

av e rt h i s d e ath .

Wh e n Th e o do rid had b e com e t h e vi ctor h e spa r e d t h e , 233

conqu e r e d an d di d not su ffe r t h e rag e o f confl ict to con

t inn e but pl ac e d ov e r t h e S u a v i w hom h e had conqu e r e d
,

o n e o f hi s own r e tain e rs n am e d Agr i v u l f ,

But Agri v u l f .

s oon tr e ach e rously chang e d hi s mind through t h e pe r ,

suasi on o f t h e S u a v i and f ail e d to fulfil hi s duty F o r

, .

h e was qui t e pu ffe d up w i t h ty rannical pri d e b e li e ving ,

h e had obtain e d t h e provinc e as a r e ward for t h e va l o r

by whi ch h e and his lo rd had r e c e ntly subj ugat e d it N ow .

h e was a man bo rn o f t h e stock o f t h e Varni fa r b e l ow

’

t h e nobility O f Gothi c blood and s o was n e ith e r z e alous ,

f or lib e rty no r f aith ful toward hi s pat ron A s soon as . 2 34

Th e o do r i d h e ard o f thi s h e d e spatch e d a forc e to cast him

,

out f rom t h e kingdom h e had usu rp e d Th e y cam e .

qui ckly and conqu e r e d him in t h e first battl e inflicting a ,

punishm e n t b e fitting hi s d e e ds For h e was captur e d .

,
 T H E G OT H I C H I S TO R Y 1 1 7

tak e n f rom hi s f ri e nds and b e h e ad e d Thus at last h e .

wa s mad e aw ar e o f t h e w rath o f t h e mast e r h e thought

might be d e spi s e d b e caus e h e was kind N ow wh e n t h e .

S u a v i b e h e l d t h e d e ath o f th e i r l e ad e r th e y s e nt pri e sts ,

o f th e i r count ry to Th e o do ri d as suppliants H e r e c e iv e d .

th e m with t h e r e v e r e nc e du e th e i r o ffic e and not only

grant e d t h e S u a v i e x e mption f rom puni shm e nt but was ,

mov e d by compassion and allow e d th e m to choos e a rul e r

o f th e i r o wn rac e fo r th e ms e lv e s Th e S u av i did so .
,

taking R i m i s m u n d a s th e i r pri nc e Wh e n thi s was don e .

and p e ac e was e v e rywh e r e assu r e d Th eo do ri d di e d i n .

t h e thirt e e nth y e ar o f his r e ign .

X LV H i s broth e r Euri ch succ e e d e d him w i th such KI N G B URIC

466 485
-

e ag e r hast e that h e f e ll und e r d ark sus p ici on N ow whil e .

th e s e and vari o u s oth e r matt e rs w e r e happ e ning amon g T H E W ES T E ]

E P I RE FRO
M
t h e p e opl e o f t h e Visigoths t h e Emp e ro r Val e ntinian was
, TH E D EA T H
s l ai n by t h e tr e ach e ry o f Maximus and M axi mus hims e l f V A LE N TI N I A
, ,
1 1 1 To R OM U
lik e a ty rant usurp e d t h e rul e
, Gai s e ri c king o f t h e
.
,
AU GU S TU L I

Vandal s h e ard o f this and cam e f rom A f ri ca to I taly

,

w ith ships o f w ar e nt e r e d Rom e a nd l ai d i t wast e

, .

Ma x i m u s 4
Maxi mus fl e d and wa s slain by a c e rtai n U rsus a Roman ,

sol di e r A ft e r hi m Ma j o r i a n und e rtook t h e gov e rnm e nt

. GA I SERI C SA
of t h e W e st e rn Empi r e at t h e bid ding o f M arcian Em R OME 4 55
,

pe r o r o f t h e E ast . But h e too rul e d but a sho rt tim e .

Ma j o ri a n
F o r wh e n h e had mov e d his forc e s agai nst t h e A l ani who 4 5 7 46 1-

w e r e harassing Gaul h e wa s ki l l e d at D e rt on a n e a r t h e
,

r iv e r mar n e d I ra S e v e rus succ e e d e d l fina a n d Ch e d at Li v i u s

.

S ev e ru s
.

Rom e i n t h e thi rd y e a r o f h i s r e ign Wh e n t h e Emp e ro r .

46 1 465
-

L e o who had succ e e d e d Marci an i n t h e East e rn Empi r e

, ,
Le o I
l e arn e d o f thi s h e c hos e as e mp e r o r hi s Pat rician A nth e
,
4 5 7 4 74-

mi us and s e nt him t o Rom e U p o n hi s arrival h e s e nt

.

against t h e A lani his son i n l aw R i c i m e r wh o w a s an

- -

,
An t h e m i u s
46 7 472 -

e xc e ll e nt man a n d almost t h e only o n e i n I taly at that

tim e fit to command t h e army I n t h e v e ry fi rst e ngag e

.

m e nt h e conqu e r e d and d e s troy e d t h e host o f t h e Al ani ,

toge th e r with th e i r king B e o rg ,

.
 1 18 J O RD ANES : O R I G I N AN D DEE D S O F T H E G O T H S

N ow Eu ri ch king o f t h e Vi sigoth s p e rc e i v e d t h e fr e
, ,
23 7

qu e nt chang e o f Roman Emp e ro rs and strov e t o ho l d

Gaul by hi s own right Th e Emp e ro r An t h e m i u s h e ard
.

o f i t a n d ask e d t h e B ri t to n e s f or ai d Th e i r Ki ng .

R i o t i m u s cam e wi th tw e l v e thousan d m e n i nt o t h e stat e

o f t h e B i t u r i ge s by t h e way o f O c e an and was r e c e iv e d ,

as h e di s e mba rk e d f rom hi s ships Eurich king o f t h e .

,
238

Vi sigoths c am e against t h e m w ith an i nnum e rabl e army

, ,

and a ft e r a l ong fight h e rout e d R i ot i m u s king o f t h e ,

B r i t t o n e s b e fo r e t h e Romans cou l d j oi n him

,
S o wh e n .

h e ha d lost a gr e at part o f hi s army h e fl e d w i th al l t h e ,

m e n h e coul d gath e r tog e th e r and C am e t o t h e Bu rgun

,

dians a n e ighbo ring trib e th e n all i e d to t h e Romans But

, .

Eurich king o f t h e Vi sigoths s e i z e d t h e Ga l l i c ci ty o f

, ,

A rv e rn a ; fo r t h e Emp e ro r An t h e m i u s was now d e ad .

Engag e d i n fi e rc e wa r wi th hi s son i n l aw R i ci m e r h e - -

,
239

Ol y br i u s ha d w or n out Rom e and w as hims e l f finally sl ain by hi s

'

47 2 s on i n l aw and yi e l d e d t h e ru l e to Oly b r i u s
- -

A t that tim e A spa r fi rst o f t h e Patri cians and a f amous

,

man o f t h e Goth ic rac e was wound e d by t h e swo rds o f

t h e e unuchs i n hi s pa l ac e at Constantinopl e and d i e d .

With him w e r e sl ai n hi s son s A r da bu r e s and P a t ri c i ol u s ,

t h e o n e l ong a Patri cian and t h e oth e r styl e d a Ca e s a r

,

and son i n law o f t h e Emp e ro r L e o N ow Oly bri u s di e d

- -

bar e l y e ight month s a ft e r h e had e nt e r e d upon his r e ign ,

Gl y ce r i n s
47 3
and Gly c e ri u s w as m ad e Ca e sa r at R av e nna rath e r by ,

usu rpati on than by e l e cti on H a rdly had a y e a r b e e n

.

N epo s e nd e d w h e n N e p o s t h e s on o f t h e sist e r o f M arc e llinus

, ,

47 4
onc e a P atri ci an d e pos e d hi m f rom h is o ffic e and o r
,

dain e d him bi shop at t h e Port o f Rom e .

Wh e n Eu rich as we hav e al r e ady sai d b e h e l d th e s e

, ,
2 40

gr e at and vari ous chang e s h e s e iz e d t h e ci ty o f Arv e rn a

, ,

w h e r e t h e Roman g e n e ral E c dic i u s w a s at that tim e i n

command H e wa s a s e nator o f most r e nown e d fami l y
.

and t h e son o f Av i t u s a r e c e n t e mp e ror who had usu rp e d

,

t h e r e ign fo r a fe w d ays fo r Av i t u s h e l d t h e rul e f or a

—
 1 20 J ORDA N E S I O RI G I N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

th e app e aranc e o f Th e od o ri c o f whom we shal l sp e ak ,

h e r e a ft e r .

X LV I I Bu t first l e t u s r e turn to that o rd e r f rom 2 44

which we hav e digr e ss e d an d t e ll how Eu ri ch king o f t h e ,

V i sigoths b e h e l d t h e t o t t e ring o f t h e Roman Empi r e an d

,

r e duc e d A re l a t e an d Massil i a to hi s o wn sway Gai s e ri c .

,

king o f t h e Vanda l s e ntic e d hi m by gi fts to do th e s e

,

things to t h e e n d tha t h e hims e l f might fo r e stal l t h e plots

,

which L e o and Z e no ha d contriv e d against him Th e r e .

Le o II for e h e sti rr e d t h e O st rogoth s to l ay w ast e t h e East e rn

4 7 3 47 4
Empi r e and t h e Vi sigoths t h e W e st e rn s o that whil e hi s
'

Z en o fo e s w e r e batt l ing i n both e mpi r e s h e might hims e l f ,

47 4 49 I
-

r e ign p e ac e fully in A f ri ca Euri ch p e rc e iv e d thi s w ith

.

g l adn e ss and as h e al r e ady h e l d al l o f Spain and Gaul

,

by hi s own right proc e e d e d to subdu e t h e B urgundians

,

al s o I n t h e nin e t e e nth y e ar o f hi s r e ign h e was d e p riv e d

.

E u r i c h k i ll e d o f hi s l i f e at A r e l a t e wh e r e h e th e n dw e l t
,
H e was suc . 2 45

485 c e e d e d by hi s o wn son Al a ric t h e n inth i n s ucc e ssion ,

f rom t h e famous A l ari c t h e Gr e a t to r e c e iv e t h e kingdom

A L AR I C 1 1
LAS T K I N G o f t h e Vi sigoths F o r e v e n as i t happ e n e d to t h e li n e o f
.
.

OF TH E
V I S I G OT H S t h e A ugusti as we hav e stat e d abov e s o too i t app e ar s i n
, ,

485 507 t h e l i n e o f t h e A l a ri c i that kingdoms o ft e n com e to an

-

e n d i n kings who b e a r t h e sam e nam e as tho s e at t h e

b eginning M e anwhi l e l e t us l e av e this subj e ct and

.
,

w e av e tog e th e r t h e whol e story o f t h e origi n o f t h e Goths ,

as we promi s e d .

Th e D ivi de d Goths : O st rogoth s

X LV I I I Sinc e I hav e follow e d t h e stori e s o f my 2 46
TH E anc e stors and r e tol d t o t h e b e st o f my ability t h e tal e o f
O S T RO G O T HS
A ND T H E I R t h e p e ri o d wh e n both trib e s O st rogoths and Vi sigoths , ,

S U BJ EC TI O N w e r e unit e d and th e n cl e arly t r e at e d o f t h e Vi sigoths

To TH E H U N S ,

apart f rom t h e O st rogoths I must now r e tu rn to thos e ,

anci e nt Scythian abod e s and s e t fo rth i n lik e mann e r t h e

anc e st ry and d e e ds o f t h e O strogoths I t app e ars that at .
 T H E GO T H I C H I S TO R Y 121

th e d e ath o f th e i r king H e rm a n a r i c th e y w e r e mad e a

, ,
D e ath of
H e r m a n a r ic
s e parat e p e op l e by t h e d e partur e o f t h e Visigot hs and ,
3 7 5 o r 3 76
r e main e d i n th e i r country subj e ct to t h e sway o f t h e
H uns ; y e t V i n i t h a r i u s o f t h e A mali r e t ain e d t h e insigni a
o f hi s rul e H e rivall e d t h e valo r o f hi s grand fath e r
.

V u l t u u l f although h e had not t h e good fortun e o f H e r

,

m a n a ri c . But di s l iking to r e main und e r t h e rul e o f t h e

H uns h e wi thd r e w a l ittl e f ro m th e m and st r o v e t o S how
,

h i s c o u rag e by moving his forc e s against t h e country o f

t h e A nt e s Wh e n h e attack e d th e m h e was b e at e n i n t h e
.
,

fi rst e ncount e r Th e r e a ft e r h e di d val iantly and as a

.
,

t e rrib l e e xamp l e cruci fi e d th e i r king nam e d Boz t og e th e r

, , ,

with h is sons and s e v e nty nob l e s and l e ft th e i r bodi e s ,

hanging th e r e to doub l e t h e f e a r o f thos e wh o had su r

r e nd e r e d Wh e n h e had rul e d w ith such li c e ns e fo r
.

ba r e ly a y e a r B a l a m be r king o f t h e H uns would no

, , ,

Iong e r e ndu r e i t but s e nt fo r Ge s im u n d s o n o f H uni

, ,

mund t h e Gr e at N ow Ge s i m u n d tog e th e r with a gr e at

.
,

part o f t h e Goths r e main e d und e r t h e rul e o f t h e H uns

, ,

b e ing mind fu l o f hi s oath o f fid e l ity B a l a m be r r e n e w e d .

hi s al l ianc e w i th hi m and l e d hi s army up against Vi ni

th a ri u s . A ft e r a l ong cont e st V i n i t h a ri u s p r e va i l e d i n
,

t h e fi rst and i n t h e s e cond conflict no r can any s ay how ,

gr e at slaught e r h e mad e o f t h e army o f t h e H uns But .

i n t h e thi rd batt l e wh e n th e y m e t e ach oth e r un e xp e ct e dly

,

at th e riv e r nam e d E ra c B a l a m be r shot an arrow and ,

wound e d V i n i th a r i u s i n t h e h e ad s o th at h e d i e d Th e n ,
.

B a l a m be r took to hi ms e l f i n marri ag e V a da m e rca t h e ,

grand daught e r o f V i n i t h a r i u s and final ly rul e d all t h e

-

p e opl e o f t h e Goths as h i s p e ac e ful subj e cts but in such ,

a way that o n e rul e r o f th e i r own numb e r alway s h e l d t h e

pow e r ov e r t h e Gothi c rac e though subj e ct to t h e H uns ,
.

KI N G
A nd l at e r a ft e r t h e d e ath o f V i n i t h a r i u s H u n i m u n d
, ,
H U N I M U ND
ru l e d th e m t h e s on o f H e rm a n a ri c a mighty ki ng o f
, ,

yo r e ; a man fi e rc e i n w ar and o f famous p e rsonal b e auty ,

who a ft e rwa rds fought succ e s s fully agai nst t h e rac e o f

 1 22 J ORDA N E S I OR I GI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

KI N G the A nd wh e n h e di e d hi s son Th o r i sm u d s u c
S u av i
T H OR I SM UD ,
.

K I LL E D c e e d e d him in t h e v e ry bl oom o f youth I n t h e s e cond

,
.

404
y e a r o f hi s rul e h e mov e d an army agai nst t h e G e pi da e
and won a gr e at vi cto ry ov e r th e m but i s sa i d to hav e ,

b e e n kill e d by f alling f rom hi s ho rs e Wh e n h e was d e ad .

,
251

t h e O s trogoths mourn e d for him so d e e ply that fo r f orty

y e a rs no oth e r king succ e e d e d i n hi s pl ac e and du ring all ,

thi s tim e th e y had e v e r on th e i r l ips t h e tal e o f hi s m e m

’
o ry . N ow as tim e w e nt o n Val ami r gr e w to man s ,

’
e stat e . H e was t h e son o f Th o r i s m u d s cou s i n Vanda
l a ri u s .Fo r hi s son B e r e m u d as w e hav e sai d b e for e at , ,

l ast gr e w t o d e spi s e t h e rac e o f t h e O strogoths b e caus e o f

t h e ov e rl ordship o f t h e H uns and so had follow e d t h e ,

t rib e o f t h e Vi sigoths t o t h e w e st e rn count ry and i t w a s ,

f rom him V e t e r i c was d e sc e nd e d V e t e r i c al so had a s o n .

E u t h a r i c w ho marri e d Am a l a s u e n t h a t h e daught e r o f
, ,

Th e odo ri c thu s uniting agai n t h e stock o f t h e A mal i

,

whi ch ha d divi d e d long ago E u th a r i c b e gat At h a l a r i c .

and Ma t h e s u e n t h a But s inc e At h a l a ri c di e d i n t h e

.

y e a rs o f hi s boyh oo d Ma t h e s u e n t h a w a s tak e n to Con

,

s t a n t i n o pl e by h e r s e cond hu s band nam e ly Ge rm a n u s a , ,

n e ph e w o f t h e Emp e ro r J ustinian and bor e a posthumous ,

son whom s h e nam e d Ge rm a n u s

, .

But that t h e o rd e r w e hav e tak e n f or ou r hi story may 2 52

run i ts du e cou rs e w e must r e tu rn t o t h e s tock O f Vandal

,

a rius which put fo rth thr e e branch e s Thi s V a n da l a r i u s

, .
,

t h e gr e at grand n e ph e w o f H e rm a n a r i c and cousi n o f t h e

—

a fo r e sai d Th o ri s m u d vaunt e d hims e l f among t h e rac e o f

,

t h e A mal i b e caus e h e had b e gott e n thr e e sons Valami r ,

Th i u dim e r and Vidim e r O f th e s e Valami r asc e nd e d t h e

.

KI N G thron e a ft e r his par e nts t hough t h e H uns as y e t h e l d t h e

,

VALA M IR pow e r ov e r t h e Got hs i n g e n e ral a s among oth e r nations .

P
44 5
I t w a s pl e a s ant to b e hol d t h e conco rd o f th e s e thr e e broth 2 53

e r s ; fo r t h e admi rabl e Th i u di m e r s e rv e d as a sol di e r for

t h e e mpi r e o f hi s broth e r Valami r and Valami r bad e ,

honors be giv e n him whil e Vi dim e r w a s e ag e r to s e rv e

,
1 24 J ORDA N E S Z OR I GI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E GO T H S

that sam e night as i f to intimat e that t h e race o f H uns

,

ow e d mu ch t o that w e apon Thi s account t h e historian .

P ri s c u s says h e acc e pts upon truth ful e vi d e nc e Fo r so .

t e rri bl e was A ttil a thought t o be to gr e at e mpi r e s that

t h e gods announc e d hi s d e ath to rul e rs as a s p e cial b o on .

W e shal l not omi t t o say a fe w wo rds ab o ut t h e many

w ays i n w hi ch h i s shad e was honor e d by his rac e H is .

body was p l ac e d in t h e mi d s t o f a plai n and l ay i n s tat e

in a silk e n t e nt as a sight fo r m e n s admi ration Th e b e st ’
.

hors e m e n o f t h e e nti r e t rib e o f t h e H uns rod e around i n

ci rcl e s a ft e r t h e mann e r o f c i rcus gam e s i n t h e plac e
, ,

to which h e ha d b e e n brought and tol d o f hi s d e e ds i n a

“
fun e ral di rg e i n t h e foll owing mann e r : Th e chi e f o f t h e 2 57

H uns Ki ng A tti la born o f hi s si r e Mu n di u c h l ord o f

, , ,

brav e st trib e s sol e poss e sso r o f t h e Scythi an and G e rman

,

r e al ms pow e rs unknown b e fo r e captu r e d citi e s an d

— —

t e rrifi e d both e mpi r e s o f t h e Roman w orl d and app e as e d ,

by th e i r pray e rs took annual t ribut e to sav e t h e r e st f rom

,

pl und e r A nd wh e n h e had accompli sh e d all thi s by t h e

.

f avo r o f f ortun e h e f e ll not by woun d o f t h e fo e no r

, ,

by tr e ach e ry o f f ri e nds but i n t h e mi dst o f hi s nati on at

,

p e ac e happy in h i s j oy and w ithout s e ns e o f pai n Who

, .

can rat e thi s as d e ath wh e n non e b e li e v e s i t call s fo r

,

”
v e ng e anc e ? Wh e n th e y ha d mou rn e d him w ith such 2 58

lam e ntations a s tra w as th e y cal l i t was c e l e brat e d ov e r

, , ,

his tomb w ith gr e at r e v e lling Th e y gav e way in turn to .

t h e e xtr e m e s o f f e e l ing and di s pl ay e d fun e r e al gri e f alt e r

n ating wi th j oy Th e n in t h e s e cr e cy o f night th e y bu ri e d
.

hi s body i n t h e e arth Th e y bound hi s co ffins t h e fi rst.

,

w i th gol d t h e s e cond w ith silv e r and t h e thi rd wi th t h e

,

str e ngth o f i ron showing by such m e ans that th e s e th r e e

,

things suit e d t h e mighti e st o f kings ; i ron b e caus e h e

subdu e d t h e nations gol d and si lv e r be caus e h e r e c e iv e d
,

t h e hono rs o f both e mpi r e s Th e y als o add e d t h e a rm s

.

o f fo e m e n w on i n t h e fight t rappings o f ra r e worth , ,

sparkl ing with vari ou s g e ms and o rnam e nts o f all sorts ,

 TH E G OT H I C H I S TO RY 1 25

wh e r e by princ e ly stat e i s maint ain e d A nd that s o gr e at .

rich e s might be k e pt f rom human curi osity th e y s l e w ,

thos e appoint e d to t h e wo rk a dr e ad ful pay fo r th e i r

—

l ab o r ; and thus sudd e n d e ath wa s t h e l ot o f thos e who

bu ri e d him as w e ll as o f him who was bu ri e d .

L A ft er th e y had ful fill e d th e s e rit e s a cont e st f or ,

’
t h e high e st pl ac e aro s e am o ng A tti l a s succ e ssors fo r t h e —

minds o f young m e n a re w o nt t o be inflam e d by ambiti o n

for pow e r and in th e i r rash e ag e rn e ss to rul e th e y a l l
—

alik e d e stroy e d hi s e mpi r e Thu s kingdoms a re o ft e n

.

DI S S OL U TI O
w e igh e d down by a s u pe r fl u i ty rath e r than by a l ack o f OF TH E

succ e ssor s . F or t h e sons o f A ttila w h o through t h e ,

K I N GDO M
OF TH E
l ic e ns e o f hi s l ust form e d almos t a p e opl e o f th e ms e lv e s , H UNS
w e r e cl amoring that t h e nati ons shoul d be divi d e d among 45 4

th e m e qu ally an d that wa rl ik e kings w ith th e i r p e opl e s

shou l d be apporti on e d to th e m by lot l ik e a fami l y e stat e .

Wh e n Arda r i c king o f t h e G e pi da e l e a rn e d t hi s h e
, , ,

b e cam e e nrag e d b e caus e so many n ation s w e r e b e ing

t r e at e d l ik e sl av e s o f t h e bas e st condi tion and was t h e ,

fi rst to ri s e against t h e sons o f A ttila Good fortun e .

att e nd e d hi m and h e e ffac e d t h e disgrac e o f s e rvitu d e that

,

r e st e d upon him Fo r by hi s r e volt h e f r e e d not only his

.

o w n trib e but all t h e oth e rs w h o w e r e e qually Opp r e ss e d

,

s inc e al l r e adil striv e fo r that which is s ought for t h e

y
g e n e ral a dvantage Th e y took up arms against t h e de
.

struction that m e nac e d al l and j oin e d battl e wi th t h e

261 H uns i n Pannoni a n e a r a riv e r call e d Ne dao Th e r e an
, .
B a t tl e
of
e ncount e r t o ok plac e b e tw e e n t h e va rious nations A tti la Ne d a o
had h e l d und e r hi s sway Kingdoms wi th th e i r p e opl e s
.
4 54

w e r e divid e d and out o f o n e body w e r e mad e many

,

m e mb e rs not r e sponding to a common impuls e B e ing .

d e priv e d o f th e i r h e ad th e y madly strov e against e ach

,

oth e r
. Th e y n e v e r f o und th e i r e quals rang e d against
th e m w ithout harming e ach oth e r by wound s mutually
giv e n A nd so t h e brav e st nations tor e th e ms e lv e s to
.

pi e c e s Fo r th e n I think must hav e occu rr e d a mo s t

.
, ,
I 26 J O R D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

r e markabl e sp e ctacl e wh e r e o n e might s ee t h e Goth s

,

fighting with pik e s t h e G e pida e raging with t h e sword

, ,

t h e Rugi br e aking o ff t h e sp e ars i n th e i r own wounds t h e ,

S u av i fighting on fo o t t h e H uns with bows t h e A lani

'

, ,

drawing up a batt l e lin e o f h e avy a rm e d and th e H e ru l i

- -

o f light a rm e d war rio rs

-
.

Finally a ft e r many bitt e r confl icts victo ry f e ll u n e x

, ,
2 62

pe c t e dl y t o t h e G e pi da e F o r t h e s word and conspi racy

.

o f Ar da r i c d e stroy e d almost thi rty thousand m e n H uns ,

as w e ll as thos e o f t h e oth e r nati ons w h o br o ught th e m

ai d I n thi s battl e f e l l E l l ac t h e e l d e r s o n o f A ttila
.
, ,

whom hi s fath e r i s sai d t o hav e l ov e d so much mor e than

al l t h e r e st that h e p r e f e rr e d hi m to any chil d or e v e n to
al l t h e chil dr e n o f h i s kingdom But fortun e was not in .

’
accord w ith hi s f ath e r s wi sh Fo r a ft e r sl aying many .

o f t h e fo e i t app e a rs tha t h e m e t hi s d e ath so brav e ly

,

that i f hi s fath e r had liv e d h e woul d hav e r e j oi c e d at hi s

,

gl ori ous e n d Wh e n E ll ac was slain hi s r e mai ning

.
,
2 63
.

broth e rs w e r e put to fl ight n e a r t h e shor e o f th e S e a of

Pontus wh e r e we hav e sai d t h e Goths first s e ttl e d Th us
,
.

di d t h e H u n s giv e way a rac e to whi ch m e n t hought t h e

,

wh o l e worl d must yi e l d So ban e ful a thing i s divi si on

.
,

that th e y wh o us e d to inspi r e t e rr o r w h e n th e i r str e ngth

was uni t e d w e r e ov e rthrow n s e parat e ly Th e caus e o f
, .

Ar da r i c ki ng o f t h e G e pi da e was fo rtunat e for t h e v a

, ,

r i o u s nati o n s w h o w e r e unwillingly subj e ct t o t h e ru l e

o f t h e H uns fo r i t rai s e d th e i r long downcast s pi ri t s t o

,

t h e gl ad hop e o f f r e e do m Many s e nt ambassado rs t o

.

t h e Roman t e rri tory wh e r e th e y w e r e most graci ously

,

r e c e iv e d by M arci an who w as th e n e mp e ro r and took t h e

, ,

abod e s a ll ott e d t h e m t o dw e l l in But t h e G e pida e by th e i r . 264

o wn might won for th e ms e lv e s t h e t e rritory o f t h e H u n s

an d rul e d as vi ctor s ov e r t h e e xt e nt o f al l D aci a d e man d ,

i ng o f t h e Roman Empi r e nothi ng m o r e than p e ac e and

an annual gi ft a s a pl e dg e o f th e i r f ri e ndly all ianc e Thi s .

t h e Em pe ror fr e e ly grant e d at t h e tim e and to thi s day ,

 1 28 J O R D AN ES : O R I G I N A N D D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

B i s h o p U l fi l as L I Th e r e w e r e ot h e r Goths al so call e d t h e L e ss e r , , 2 67
a bou t 3 I 1 3 8 1
-

a gr e at p e opl e whos e pri e st and pri mat e was V u l fil a w h o ,

i s sai d to hav e taught th e m to w rit e An d to day th e y .

-

a r e i n Mo e sia i nhabiti ng t h e Ni co po l i t a n r e gion a s far

,

TH E
as t h e bas e o f Mount H a e mus Th e y a r e a num e rou s .

L ESSER p e op l e but poor and unwa rlik e ri ch i n nothing s av e

, ,
GO T H S
fl ocks o f va ri ous k ind s and pastur e l ands fo r ca ttl e and -

fo r e st s fo r wood Th e i r count ry is not f rui t fu l i n wh e at

.

and oth e r sort s o f grai n Som e o f th e m do not kn o w

.

that vin e ya rd s e xi st e l s e wh e r e and th e y buy t h e i r win e

,

f rom n e ighbor i ng count ri e s But mo st o f th e m d rink

.

milk .

LI I L e t u s now r e turn to t h e t ri b e w ith which we 2 68

sta rt e d nam e ly t h e O strogoths who w e r e dw e l ling i n

, ,

TH E Pannoni a und e r th e i r king Va l ami r and hi s b roth e rs Thi

O S T RO G O T H
S
IN P AN NONIA u di m e r and Vi dim e r Al though th e i r t e rrito ri e s w e r e
.

s e pa rat e y e t th e i r pl ans w e r e o n e
,
Fo r Valami r dw e l t .

b e tw e e n t h e riv e rs S ca rn i u n ga and A qua N igra Th i u di ,

m e r n e ar Lak e P e l s o and Vi di m e r b e tw e e n th e m both .

N ow i t happ e n e d that t h e sons o f A ttila r e garding t h e ,

Goths a s d e s e rt e rs f rom th e i r ru l e cam e against th e m as ,

though th e y w e r e s e e king fugitiv e slav e s and attack e d ,

Valami r al on e wh e n his broth e rs kn e w nothing o f i t H e

,
. 2 69

s u stain e d th e i r attack though h e had but fe w supp o rt e rs

, ,

and a ft e r ha rassing th e m a l ong tim e s o utt e rly ov e r ,

w h e lm e d th e m that scarc e ly any porti on o f t h e e n e my

r e mai n e d Th e r e mnant tu rn e d in fl ight and sought
.

t h e part s o f Scy thi a whi ch bord e r on t h e st r e am o f t h e

riv e r Da n a pe r which t h e H uns call i n th e i r own tongu e
,

B I RT H
t h e Var Th e r e upon h e s e nt a m e ss e ng e r o f good ti dings
.

OF to hi s bro th e r Th i u di m e r and on t h e v e ry day t h e m e s

,
TH EO D OR I C
T H E GREA T s e ng e r arriv e d h e fo u nd e v e n gr e at e r j oy i n t h e hous e o f
.

454 Th i u di m e r F or on that day hi s son Th e odori c was born

.
,

o f a concubin e E re l i e v a i nd e e d an d y e t a chi l d o f good

,

hop e
 TH E G O T H I C H I S TO R Y 1 29

N ow a ft e r no gr e at tim e King Valami r and h i s broth

e rs Th i u di m e r and Vi dim e r s e nt a n e mba s s y t o t h e Em
p e r o r M arcian b e caus e
, t h e usual gi fts whi ch th e y r e

c e i v e d lik e a Ne w Y e ar s pr e s e nt f rom t h e Emp e ro r to

’

pr e s e rv e t h e compact o f p e ac e w e r e slow i n arriving ,

.

A nd th e y found that Th e o dori c s on o f Tr i a r i u s a man

-

, ,

o f G o thic blood al so bu t bo rn o f anoth e r s tock not o f

, ,

t h e A mal i w a s i n gr e at favo r tog e th e r with h i s fol

, ,

l ow e r s H e w a s alli e d i n f ri e nd s hip with t h e Romans

.

and ob tain e d an annual bounty whil e th e y th e ms e lv e s ,

w e r e m e r e ly h e l d in d i sdai n Th e r e a t th e y w e r e a rou s e d
.
‘

to f re nzy and took up a rm s Th e y rov e d through almost .

t h e whol e o f I llyri cum and lai d i t wast e i n th e i r s e a rch

f o r spoil Th e n t h e Emp e ro r quickly chang e d h i s mind

.

and r e tu rn e d to hi s fo rm e r stat e o f f ri e ndshi p H e s e nt .

an e mbassy to giv e th e m t h e past gi fts as w e l l as thos e ,

n o w du e and furth e rmo r e promi s e d to giv e th e s e gi fts

,

i n f utur e w i thout any di sput e F rom t h e Goths t h e .

Ro m ans r e c e iv e d as a ho s tag e o f p e ac e Th e o do ri c t h e -

young chil d o f Th i u dim e r whom w e hav e m e ntion e d ,

abov e H e had now attain e d t h e a ge o f s e v e n y e ars and

.

was e nt e ring upon his e ighth Whil e h i s fath e r h e sitat e d H IS YO U T I

.

S PEN T A ‘

about giving hi m u p hi s uncl e Valami r b e s ought him to

, CON S TA N TI N C
B EG I N N I N G 4
d o i t hoping that p e ac e b e tw e e n t h e Roman s and t h e
,

Goths might thus be assu r e d Th e r e fo r e Th e odori c w a s .

giv e n as a hostag e by t h e Goths and brought to t h e ci ty

o f Con s tanti nopl e t o t h e Emp e ro r L e o and b e ing a ,

goo dly chi l d d e s e rv e dly gain e d t h e imp e ri al favor

, .

L I I I N ow a ft e r firm p e ac e wa s e stabl i s h e d b e tw e e n T H E GOT H

Goths and Roman s t h e Goths found that t h e po s s e s s ions OVE R W H E L I
,
TH E RE M N A
th e y had r e c e i v e d f rom t h e Emp e ro r w e r e n o t su ffici e nt OF TH E HU
fo r th e m Furth e rmor e th e y w e r e e ag e r to di s play th e i r
.
,

wont e d val or and so b e gan to plund e r t h e n e ighbo ring

,

rac e s round about t h e m first attacking t h e S a da gi s w h o

,

h e l d t h e int e ri o r o f Pannonia Wh e n D i n t z i c king o f t h e .

,

H uns a son o f A ttila l e a rn e d thi s h e gath e r e d to him

, , ,
 1 30 J ORD A N E S Z OR I G I N A ND D EED S O F TH E GOT H S

the fe w
who sti ll s e e m e d to hav e r e main e d und e r hi s
s w ay nam e ly t h e U l t z i n z u re s t h e An gi s c i ri t h e Bittu
, , , ,

gur e s and t h e B a r do re s Coming to B a s s i a n a a city o f .

,

Pannonia h e b e l e agu e r e d i t an d b e gan to plund e r i ts t e rri

,

to ry Th e n t h e Goths at onc e abandon e d t h e e xp e di ti on

. 2 73

th e y had plann e d ag ain s t t h e S a da gi s tu rn e d upon t h e ,

H un s and d rov e th e m so ingl ori ou s ly from th e i r own

l and that thos e wh o r e main e d hav e b e e n i n d r e ad o f t h e
a rm s o f t h e Goths f rom that tim e down t o t h e pr e s e nt
day .

C O N Q U ES T
Wh e n t h e trib e o f th e H uns was at last subdu e d by t h e
.

Goths H u n l m u n d ch i e f o f t h e S u av r who was c r o s s m g

.

OF TH E
, , ,
S U AV I
ov e r to plund e r D almati a carri e d o ff som e cattl e o f t h e ,
'

Goths which w e r e straying ov e r t h e p l ain s ; for D almati a

was n e ar S u a v i a and not fa r di stant f rom t h e t e rritory
o f Pannonia e sp e cially that pa rt wh e r e t h e Goth s w e r e
,

th e n s taying S o th e n as H u n i m u n d w as r e turni ng
.
, 2 74

w i th t h e S u a v i t o hi s own country a ft e r h e had de ,

v a s t a t e d D almati a Th i u di m e r t h e broth e r o f Va l ami r

, ,

king o f t h e Goths k e pt w atch on th e i r lin e o f march ,

.

N ot that h e gri e v e d s o much o v e r t h e lo ss o f hi s cat t l e ,

but h e f e ar e d that i f t h e S u a v i obtain e d this plund e r wi th

impunity th e y wou l d proc e e d t o gr e at e r l ic e ns e S o i n
,
.

t h e d e a d o f night w hil e th e y w e r e a s l e e p h e mad e an

, ,

un e xp e ct e d attack upon th e m n e a r Lak e P e l s o H e r e h e ,

.

s o compl e t e ly cru s h e d th e m tha t h e took captiv e and s e n t

into s lav e ry und e r t h e Goth s e v e n H u n i m u n d th e i r king , ,

and al l o f hi s a rmy who had e scap e d t h e sword Y e t .

as h e w as a gr e at l ov e r o f m e rcy h e gran t e d pardon ,

a ft e r taking v e ng e anc e and b e cam e r e conci l e d to t h e

S u av i H e adopt e d a s hi s son t h e sam e m an whom h e
.

had tak e n captiv e and s e nt him back with hi s follow e rs

,

into S u a v i a But H u n im u n d w a s unmi nd ful o f hi s

. 275
’
p lo t o f adopt e d f ath e r s kindn e ss A ft e r som e tim e h e brought .

gfii z
im
fit
forth a pl o t h e had contriv e d and arous e d t h e t rib e o f t h e
S c i r i who th e n dw e l t abov e t h e D anub e and abod e p e ac e
,
 1 32 J OR DA N E S I OR I G I N A ND D EE D S OF T H E GO T H S

l ook e d lik e a c ri m s on s e a W ea pons and co rps e s pi l e d

.
,

u p l ik e hill s cov e r e d t h e pl ai n fo r mor e than t e n mil e s

,
.

Wh e n t h e Goths saw t hi s th e y r e j o i c e d wi th j oy unsp e ak

.
,
2 79

abl e b e ca u s e by thi s gr e at s laught e r o f th e i r fo e s th e y

,

had av e ng e d t h e blood o f Valami r th e i r king and t h e

i nj u ry don e th e ms e lv e s Bu t thos e o f t h e i nnum e rabl e
.

and mot l e y throng o f t h e fo e who w e r e abl e to e scap e ,

though th e y got aw ay n e v e rth e l e s s cam e to th e i r own

,

l and with di fficul ty and wi thout glory .

TH I U DI M E R LV A ft e r a c e rtai n tim e wh e n t h e wintry col d was ,

2 80
A G A I N W ARS
W IT H TH E at hand t h e riv e r D anub e was f roz e n ov e r as usual F or
,
.

S U AVI a riv e r l ik e thi s f r e e z e s so hard that i t will support l ik e

a sol i d rock an army o f fo ot sol di e rs and wagons and -

sl e dg e s and whatso e v e r v e hi cl e s th e r e may be no r i s -

th e r e n e e d o f ski ffs and boats So wh e n Thi u di m e r king .

,

o f t h e Goths saw that i t was froz e n h e l e d h i s a rmy

, ,

acro s s t h e D anub e and app e ar e d un e xp e ct e dly to t h e S u a v i

f rom t h e r e ar NOW thi s count ry o f t h e S u av i has on t h e
.

e ast t h e B a i o v a r i on t h e w e s t t h e Franks on tli e s outh t h e

, ,

B urgu ndians and on t h e north t h e Thu ringians With . 28 1

t h e S u a v i th e r e w e r e pr e s e nt t h e A l amanni th e n th e i r ,

con f e d e rat e s who also rul e d t h e A lpin e h e ight s w h e nc e

, ,

s e v e ral str e ams fl ow i nto t h e D anub e pou ri ng i n wi th a ,

gr e at rushing s ound I nto a pl ac e thu s f orti fi e d Ki ng

.

Th i u di m e r l e d h i s army in t h e w int e r tim e and conqu e r e d -

plund e r e d and almost subdu e d t h e rac e o f t h e S u a v i as

w e l l as t h e A lamanni who w e r e mutually band e d to
,

g e th e r Th e nc e h e r e tu rn e d a s vi ctor t o hi s o wn hom e i n
.

Pannoni a and j oy fully r e c e iv e d hi s son Th e odori c onc e ,

giv e n as hostag e to Constantinopl e and now s e nt back by

TH I U DI M ER
SE NT B AC K t h e Emp e ro r L e o w ith gr e a t gi fts No w Th e odo ri c had . 2 82
To H I S O W N ’
r e ach e d man s e stat e fo r h e w as e ight e e n y e a rs o f a ge
P EO P L E ,

4 72 and hi s bo y ho o d w a s e nd e d S o h e s ummon e d c e rtai n o f .

’
his fath e r s adh e r e nts and took to hims e l f f rom t h e p e opl e
hi s f ri e nds and r e tai n e r s almos t six thousand m e n —

With th e s e h e cross e d t h e D anub e without hi s fath e r s ,

’
 T H E GOT H I C H I S TO RY 1 33

knowl e dg e and ma rch e d agai nst Babai king o f t h e Sar

, ,

m a t i a n s w h o had j ust wo n a victo ry ov e r Ca m u n du s a

, ,

g e n e ra l o f t h e Roman s and was rul ing wi th ins o l e nt ,

pri d e .Th e odori c cam e u pon him and sl e w him and ,

taking as booty hi s sl av e s and tr e asur e r e turn e d vic ,

t o r i o u s to h i s fath e r N e xt h e i nvad e d t h e city o f Singi

.
Ca pt u r e o
B e l g r a de
dunum which t h e Sa rmati ans th e m s e lv e s had s e i z e d and
, ,

di d not r e tu rn i t to t h e Romans but r e duc e d i t to hi s o wn ,

sway .

LV I Th e n as t h e spoil tak e n f rom on e and anoth e r

o f t h e n e ighbo ring trib e s dimini sh e d t h e Goths b e gan ,

to lack food an d clothing and p e ac e b e cam e d istast e ,

ful to m e n fo r who m wa r had l ong fu rni s h e d t h e

V I DI M ER
n e c e ss a ri e s o f li f e S O al l t h e Goths approa ch e d th e i r
.
TH E Y OU N(
king Thi u di m e r and with gr e at outcry b e gg e d him to G OES To
GA U L
, ,

l e ad forth hi s army in whatso e v e r d i r e ction h e might 47 3

wi sh H e summon e d hi s broth e r and a ft e r ca s ti ng lots
.
, ,

bad e him go i nto t h e country o f I taly wh e r e at thi s tim e ,

Gl y ce r i u s rul e d as e mp e ror sayi ng that h e him s e l f a s t h e

,

mighti e r would go t o t h e e ast against a mighti e r e mpi r e .

2 84 A nd s o i t happ e n e d Th e r e upon Vi dim e r e nt e r e d t h e

.

land o f I taly but soon pai d t h e l ast d e bt o f fat e and

,

d e part e d fr o m e a rthly a ffai rs l e aving h i s s o n and nam e

-

sak e Vi dim e r to succ e e d him Th e Em pe ror Gly c e ri u s .

b e stow e d gi ft s upon Vi di m e r and p e rsuad e d him to go

f rom I taly t o Gaul which wa s th e n ha rrass e d o n all si d e s
,

by va rio u s rac e s saying that th e i r o wn kinsm e n t h e

, ,

Visigoths th e r e rul e d a n e ighbori ng kingdom

,
A nd .

W hat mor e ? Vi di m e r acc e pt e d t h e gi fts and ob eying ,

t h e com m and o f t h e Emp e ro r Gl y c e rins pr e ss e d on to ,

Gaul . J oi ning with hi s ki nsm e n t h e Vi s igot hs th e y ,

agai n form e d o n e body a s th e y had been l ong ago Thus , .

th e y h e l d Gaul and Spai n by th e i r own right and s o T H I U DI M E

d e f e nd e d th e m that no o th e r rac e won t h e mast e ry th e r e IN
MACEDONL
.

28 5 But Th i u di m e r t h e e l d e r broth e r cross e d t h e riv e r

, ,

S a v u s w ith hi s m e n thr e at e ning t h e S armati ans and th e i r

,
 1 34 J ORDA N E S I ORIGI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

sold i e rs with wa r i f any shoul d r e si st him F rom f e ar o f .

thi s th e y k e pt qui e t ; mor e ov e r th e y w e r e pow e rl e ss i n t h e

fac e o f so gr e at a host Th i u di m e r s e e ing p rosp e ri ty .
,

e v e rywh e r e awaiting him i nvad e d Na i s s u s t h e fi rst ci ty

, ,

o f I llyri cum H e was j oin e d by his s o n Th e o dori c and

.

t h e Counts A stat and I n v i l i a and s e nt th e m to U l p i a n a ,

by way o f Cast rum H e rculi s U pon th e i r arrival t h e . 286

town surr e nd e r e d as di d S t obi lat e r ; and s e v e ral plac e s

,

o f I ll y ri cum inacc e ssibl e t o th e m at first w e r e thus mad e

, ,

e a sy o f approach Fo r th e y fi rst plund e r e d and th e n

.

ru l e d by right O f w ar H e racl e a and Laris sa c i ti e s o f ,

Th e ssaly B u t Thi u di m e r t h e k ing p e rc e iving hi s own

.
,

goo d fortun e and that o f h is son was not cont e nt with

-

thi s a l on e but s e t forth f rom t h e ci ty o f Na i s su s l e aving

, ,

on l y a fe w m e n b e hind as a gua rd H e hims e l f advanc e d .

to Th e ssa l onica wh e r e H i l a r i a n u s t h e Pat ri cian a p

, ,

point e d by t h e Emp e ro r was stati on e d W i th hi s a rmy ,

.

Wh e n H i l a r i a n u s b e h e l d Th e ssaloni ca su rround e d by an 2 87

e ntr e nchm e nt and s aw that h e coul d not r e si st attack h e ,

s e nt an e mbas sy to Th i u di m e r t h e king and by t h e o ff e r

o f gi fts tu rn e d hi m asi d e f rom d e st r oy ing t h e city Th e n .

t h e Roman g e n e ral e nt e r e d upon a t ruc e wi th t h e Goths

and o f hi s own acco rd hand e d ov e r to th e m thos e p l ac e s
th e y in habi t e d nam e l y Cy r rh u s P e lla E u ro pu s Me
, , , ,

thon e Pydna B e ro e a and anoth e r which i s call e d D i u m

, , , .

S o t h e Goths and th e i r king lai d asid e th e i r a rms c o n ,

-
2 88

s e nt e d to p e ac e and b e cam e qui e t Soon a ft e r t he s e .

e v e nts King Th i u di m e r was s e i z e d with a mo rtal i lln e ss

,

i n t h e ci ty o f Cy rrh u s H e cal l e d t h e Goths to hims e l f

.
,

appoint e d T h e o do r i c hi s s o n a s h e i r o f his kingdom and

pr e s e ntly d e part e d thi s l i f e .

Z eno LV I I Wh e n t h e Emp e ro r Z e no h e ard that Th e od o ri c 2 89

47 4 49 I
-

had b e e n app o int e d king ov e r h i s own p e opl e h e r e c e iv e d ,

Th e o do ri c t h e t h e n e ws w ith p l e asu r e and invit e d hi m to com e and vi si t

Gre a t him i n t h e city s e ndi ng an e s cor t o f hono r R e c e iving
, .

47 5 5 26
-

Th e odori c w ith all du e r e sp e ct h e pl ac e d him among t h e ,

 1 30 J OR DA N E S I OR I G I N A ND D EE D S O F TH E GOT H S

h e ard this h e grant e d w hat Th e odori c ask e d fo r h e was ,

unwilling to caus e h i m sorr o w H e s e nt him forth e n .

rich e d by gr e at gi f t s and comm e nd e d to h i s charg e t h e

S e nat e and t h e Roman P e opl e .

T H EO D OR I C Th e r e fo r e Th e o doric d e part e d f rom t h e roy al city and

SE T S O U T FOR r e turn e d t o hi s own p e opl e I n company with t h e whol e
I T AL Y .

488 t rib e o f t h e Goths wh o gav e him th e i r unanimous con

,

s e nt h e s e t out for H e sp e ria

,
H e w e nt i n straight m arch .

through S i rmium to t h e plac e s bord e ring on Pannon i a

and a dvancing into t h e t e rri tory o f V e n e ti a as fa r as
,

th e bri dg e o f t h e S o n t i u s e ncamp e d th e r e Wh e n h e ,
. 293

had halt e d th e r e fo r s om e tim e to r e st t h e bodi e s o f

hi s m e n and pack animal s O doac e r s e nt an arm e d fo rc e
—

against hi m whi ch h e m e t o n t h e plains o f V e rona an d

,

d e stroy e d w ith gr e at slaught e r Th e n h e b rok e c amp .

and advanc e d through I taly with gr e at e r bol dn e ss C ro ss .

ing t h e riv e r P O h e pitch e d camp n e ar t h e roya l city

,

o f Rav e nna abou t t h e thi rd mi l e ston e f rom t h e city i n

,

t h e pl ac e call e d Pi n e ta Wh e n O doac e r saw thi s h e.

,

forti fi e d him s e l f w i thi n t h e ci ty H e f r e qu e ntly harass e d .

t h e army o f t h e Goths at nig ht s allying fo rt h st e al thily ,

with hi s m e n and thi s not onc e o r twic e but o ft e n ; an d

, ,

thus h e st ruggl e d fo r almost thr e e who l e y e a rs But h e . 2 94

H E CO N Q U ERS labo r e d i n vain fo r all It aly at last call e d Th e odo ri c i t s
,
OD OACER
A N D PUT S lord an d t h e Empi r e ob e y e d h i s n o d But O doac e r w i th .
,

H I M To D EA T H
hi s fe w adh e r e nt s and t h e Rom ans who w e r e pr e s e nt su f ,
493
fe r e d daily f rom w a r and famin e i n Rav e nna S inc e h e .

accompli sh e d nothing h e s e nt an e mbassy and b e gg e d for

,

m e rcy Th e odori c fi rst grant e d it and a ft e rwa rds de

. 295

p r i v e d hi m o f hi s l i f e .

I t wa s i n t h e thi rd y e ar a ft e r his e ntranc e into I taly ,

TH EO D OR I C
as w e hav e sai d that Th e odori c by a dvic e o f t h e Em
,

PO U N D S TH E
pe ro r Z e no l ai d asid e t h e garb o f a privat e citi z e n and
,

O S T R OG OT H I C
K I N G DO M I N t h e d r e ss o f hi s rac e an d assum e d a co s tum e wi th a royal
I TA LY mantl e a s h e had now b e com e t h e rul e r ov e r bo th Goth s
,
49 3
and Romans H e s e nt an e mbassy to L o do i n king o f t h e
.
,
 T H E G O T H I C H I S TO R Y I 37

Franks and ask e d for hi s daught e r Au de fl e da i n mar

,

296 r i a ge
. L o do i n f r e e ly and gl adly gav e h e r and al s o his ,

s ons C e l de be r t and H e l de be r t and T h i u de be r t b e li e vi n g ,

that by thi s alli anc e a l e agu e woul d be fo rm e d and that

th e y woul d be associ at e d w ith t h e rac e o f t h e Goths B ut .

that union wa s o f n o avail fo r p e ac e and ha rmony fo r ,

th e y fought fi e rc e ly with e ach oth e r agai n and agai n fo r

t h e lands o f t h e G ot hs ; but n e v e r di d t h e Goths yi e l d to

t h e Franks whil e Th e odo ri c l iv e d .

2 97 LV I I I N ow b e for e h e had a chil d f rom Au de fl e da OF TH E I N CR

,
OF H IS PO“
Th e odo ri c had child r e n o f a concubin e daught e rs b e got ,

t e n i n Mo e s ia o n e nam e d Th i u d i got o and anoth e r O s tro

,

gotho Soon a ft e r h e c am e to I taly h e gav e th e m in ma r

.
,

r i a e to n e ighbo ring kings o n e t o A la ri c king o f t h e

g , ,

Vi s igoths and t h e oth e r to Sigi s mund king o f t h e Bu r

, ,
Am a l a r i c
29 8 g u n d i a n s N ow A lari c b e gat A m al a ri c Whil e h i s grand 507 S3 I
. .
-

fath e r Th e odor i c ca r e d fo r and prot e ct e d him for h e —

had l ost both pa r e nts i n t h e y e a r s o f chi ldhood h e —

“
found that E u t h a r i c t h e son o f V e t e r i c grandchil d o f
, ,

B e r e m u d and o f Th o r i s m u d and a d e sc e ndant o f t h e rac e

,

o f t h e A mal i was l iving i n Spain a young man strong i n

, ,

wi s dom and val o r and h e alt h o f body Th e od o ric s e nt

-

fo r hi m and gav e him hi s daught e r Am a l a s u e n t h a in

2 99 marri ag e A nd that h e might e xt e nd hi s family a s much
.

as pos si bl e h e s e nt hi s si st e r Am a l a fr i da ( t h e moth e r o f
,

ll l Th e o da h a d who w a s a ft e rward s ki ng ) to A f ri ca a s wi f e
'

I
,

he o f Th ra s a m u n d king o f t h e Vandals and h e r daught e r

, ,

for Am a l a be r ga wh o wa s hi s o wn n i e c e h e unit e d w ith H e r

, ,

de m i n e fr e d king o f t h e Thuringians
,
.

3 00 N ow h e s e nt h i s Count P i t z a cho s e n f rom among t h e ,

chi e f m e n o f h i s kingdom to hol d t h e ci ty o f Si rmium ,

.

H e go t po s s e ssion o f i t by d riving o u t its king Th r a s a r i c ,

son o f Th r au s t i l a and k e e ping h i s moth e r captiv e Th e nc e

,
.

h e cam e w ith tw o thousand i n fantry and fiv e hundr e d

hor s e m e n to ai d Mundo against Sabi ni an Ma s t e r o f t h e ,

Soldi e ry o f I lly ricum wh o at that tim e had mad e r e ady to

,
 1 38 J O R D A NES : O R I G I N AN D D EE D S O F TH E GOT H S

fight w ith Mundo n e ar t h e ci ty nam e d Ma rgopl an u m ,

whi ch li e s b e tw e e n t h e D anub e and Margus riv e rs and ,

d e stroy e d t h e A rmy o f I l l yricum Fo r thi s Mundo who .

, 30 1
trac e d hi s d e s c e nt f rom t h e At t i l a n i o f Ol d had fl e d ,

f rom t h e t ri b e o f t h e G e pi da e and wa s roaming b e yond

t h e D anub e i n wast e plac e s wh e r e no man till e d t h e soil .

H e had gath e r e d a round hi m many outl aws an d r u ffi a n s

and robb e rs f rom al l sid e s and had s e i z e d a tow e r cal l e d
H e rta s ituat e d on t h e bank o f t h e D anub e
,
Th e r e h e .

plund e r e d h i s n e ighbo rs in wi ld l ic e n s e and mad e hims e l f

king ov e r his vagabonds N ow P i t z a cam e upon him
.

wh e n h e was n e arly r e duc e d to d e sp e rati o n and was a l

r e ady thinking O f su rr e nd e r So h e r e scu e d him f rom
.

t h e hands O f S abi nian and m ad e him a grat e ful subj e ct o f

hi s king Th e o dori c .

Th e odori c wo n an e qually gr e at victory ov e r t h e 3 02

Franks through hi s Cou nt I bba i n Gaul wh e n mor e than ,

thi rty thousand F ranks w e r e S lain i n battl e M or e o v e r .

,

aft e r t h e d e ath o f hi s s o n i n l aw A la ri c Th e odori c a p

- -

point e d Th i u di s hi s armor b e ar e r guardian o f hi s grand

,
—

Th i u di s son Am a l a r i c i n Spain Bu t Am a l a r i c was e nsna r e d by

.

5 3 1 548
-

t h e pl ots o f t h e Franks in e arly youth and l ost at onc e h i s

kingdom and hi s l i f e Th e n hi s guardi an Th i u di s a d

.
,

v a n c i n g f rom t h e sam e kingdom assail e d t h e F ranks and ,

d e l iv e r e d t h e Spani ards f rom th e i r di sgrac e ful t r e ach e ry .

Th i u d i g i s c l u s
:
S O long as h e l iv e d h e k e pt t h e Vi s igoths uni t e d A ft e r .
3 03
5 48 549
him Th i u digi s c l u s obtain e d t h e kingdom and rul ing but
-

a sho rt ti m e m e t hi s d e ath at t h e hands o f hi s own fol

,

A gi l
549 5 54
-
low e rs H e wa s succ e e d e d by A gil wh o holds t h e king
.
,

dom to t h e p re s e nt day At h a n a gil d has r e b e ll e d against

.

A t h a n agi l d
him and i s e v e n now provoking t h e might o f t h e Roman
5 54 56 7
-

Empi r e S O Lib e rius t h e Pat rician i s on t h e way with

.

an a rmy to oppos e him N ow th e r e was not a t rib e i n

.

t h e w e st that d i d not s e rv e Th e odo ri c whil e h e l iv e d ,

TH EO DO R I C e ith e r i n f ri e ndship o r by conqu e st .

HE GREA T DI ES
5 26
L I X Wh e n h e had r e ach e d ol d a ge and kn e w that h e 0
3 4
 1 40 J OR DA N E S I ORI GI N A ND D EE D S O F T H E G O T H S

a rmy und e r t h i s l e ad e r against t h e Goths at t h e v e ry tim e

wh e n h i s arms w e re y e t d ri pping wi t h t h e bloo d o f t h e
Va ndal s Thi s sagacious g e n e ral b e li e v e d h e c o uld not
.
3 08
ov e rcom e t h e Gothic nation unl e ss h e shoul d fi rst s e i z e ,

S icily th e i r nu rsing moth e r A co rd i n gl y h e di d s o A s

,
-
. .

soo n a s h e e nt e r e d Tri nacri a t h e Goth s who w e r e be s i e g , ,

i n g t h e town o f Sy racus e found that th e y w e r e not suc ,

ce e d i n g and surr e nd e r e d o f th e i r o w n acco r d to B e l i s a

ri us w i th th e i r l e ad e r S i n de ri t h Wh e n t h e Roman ge n
,
.

e ral r e ach e d S icily Th e od a h a d s ought out E v e r m u d hi s

, ,

s o n i n law an d s e nt him wi th an a rmy to guard t h e strai t

- -

which li e s b e tw e e n C ampani a and Si ci ly and sw e e ps f rom

a b e nd o f t h e Ty rrh e nian S e a i nto t h e v ast tid e o f t h e
A d ri ati c W h e n E v e rm u d a rriv e d h e pitch e d hi s cam p
.
, 3 09
by t h e town o f Rh e gium H e soon saw that hi s s ide w a s .
_

t h e w e ak e r Coming ov e r wi th a fe w cl os e and fai th ful

.

follow e r s to t h e s id e o f t h e vi cto r and wil lingly casti ng

him s e l f at t h e f e e t o f B e li sariu s h e d e ci d e d to s e rv e t h e ,

rul e rs o f t h e Roman Empi r e Wh e n t h e army o f t h e .

Goths p e rc e iv e d th i s th e y di s trust e d Th e o da h a d and

,

cl amor e d fo r h i s e xpul s i on f rom t h e kingdom an d f or t h e

appointm e nt as king o f th e i r l e ad e r V i t i ge s who had been ,

V i t ige s hi s a rmo r b e ar e r Thi s was don e ; and p re s e ntly V i t i ge s

.
310
Ki ng w a s rais e d to t h e o ffic e o f king o n t h e B arbari an Plai ns
53 6 540
.
-

H e e nt e r e d Rom e and s e nt on to Rav e nna t h e m e n most

fai th ful t o him to d e mand t h e d e ath o f Th e o da h a d Th e y .

cam e and e x e cut e d h i s command A ft e r Ki ng Th e o da h a d .

w a s s lain a m e ss e ng e r cam e f rom t h e king

,
fo r h e was —

al r e ady ki ng i n t h e Barbarian Pl ai n s t o procl aim V i t ige s —

t o t h e p e opl e .

M e anwhil e t h e Roman army cross e d t h e strai t and 3 1 1

march e d towa rd Campani a Th e y took N apl e s and .

p r e ss e d on t o Rom e N ow a fe w day s b e fo r e th e y ar
-
.

riv e d Ki ng V i t i ge s had s e t fort h f rom Rom e a rri v e d at

, ,

Rav e nn a and ma rri e d M a t h e s u e n t h a t h e daught e r o f ,

 T H E GOT H I C H I STO RY 1 41

Am a l a s u e n t h a and grand daught e r o f Th e odori c t h e fo r

- -

m e r king Whil e h e wa s c e l e b rating h i s n e w marriag e and

.
TH E
OS T R O G OT H S
ho l ding cou rt at Rav e nna t h e imp e ri al a rmy advanc e d
, OVERCO M E
f ro m Rom e and attack e d t h e strongh o l d s i n both part s o f BY
B E L I SAR I U S
-

Tuscany Wh e n V i t i ge s l e arn e d o f thi s through m e ss e n

.

g e rs h e sent a forc e u nd e r B unila a l e ad e r o f t h e Goth s

, , ,

to P e ru s i a which was b e l e agu e r e d by th e m Whil e th e y .

w e r e e nd e avo ring by a long S i e g e to di sl odg e Count

Magnus who wa s holding t h e pl ac e wi th a small fo rc e
, ,

t h e Roman a rmy cam e upon th e m and th e y th e m s e lv e s ,

w e r e d riv e n away and utt e rly e xt e rminat e d Wh e n Vit .

ig e s h e ard t h e n e ws h e rag e d lik e a l ion and ass e mbl e d

,

al l t h e ho s t o f t h e Goth s H e advanc e d f rom Rav e nna

.
S i e ge o f
R ome
and harass e d t h e wall s o f Rom e w ith a l o ng si e g e But
53 7 5 3 8
.

a ft e r fou rt e e n months h i s cou rag e w a s brok e n and h e

rai s e d t h e si e g e o f t h e city o f Rom e and pr e par e d to ov e r
wh e lm A riminum H e r e h e wa s ba ffl e d i n lik e mann e r
.

and put to fl ight ; and so h e r e tr e at e d to Rav e nna Wh e n . S u rr e n de r

V i t ig e s
b e si e g e d th e r e h e quickly and willingly su rr e nd e r e d him
,
5 40
s e l f to t h e vi cto ri ous s i d e t o g e th e r w ith h i s w i f e Math e
,

s u e n t h a and t h e roy al tr e asu r e .

A nd thu s a famou s kingdom and most val iant rac e ,

which had long h e l d sway was at l a s t ov e rcom e in almost

,

i ts tw o thousand and thi rti e th y e a r by that conqu e ro r o f

many nations t h e Emp e ror J ustini an through his most
, ,

faith ful con s ul B e li sarius H e gav e V i t i ge s t h e titl e o f

.
D e ath of
V i t i ge s
Patri cian and took him to Con s tanti nopl e wh e r e h e dw e lt , 542
fo r mor e than two y e a r s bou nd by t i e s o f a ff e cti on to t h e
,

Emp e ro r and th e n d e pa rt e d thi s l i f e But h i s consort

Mat h e s u e n t ?
,
.

Ma t h e s u e n t h a wa s b e stow e d by t h e Em p e ro r upon t h e m a r ri e s
Ge r m a n u s
Pat rician Ge rm a n u s h i s n e ph e w A nd o f th e m w a s born
,
.

542
a s o n ( also call e d Ge rm a n u s ) a ft e r t h e d e ath o f h i s fath e r
G e rmanns This union o f t h e rac e o f t h e An i c ii with
.

t h e stock o f t h e A mal i giv e s hop e ful promi s e und e r t h e

.
,

’
Lord s favo r to both p e opl e s
,
.
1 42 J ORDA N E S I OR I GI N A ND DEE D S O F T H E G O T H S

Concl usi on
A nd now we hav e r e cit e d t h e or igin o f t h e Goths th e , 315
nobl e lin e o f t h e A mal i and t h e d e e ds o f b rav e m e n Thi s .

glo ri ou s rac e yi e l d e d to a mo r e gl o ri ou s princ e and su r

r e nd e r e d to a mor e va l i ant l e ad e r whos e fam e shall be
,

si l e nc e d by n o ag e s o r cycle s o f y e ars ; fo r t h e vi ctori ous

an d tri umphant Emp e ro r J ustini an and hi s consu l B e l i
s a ri u s shal l be nam e d and known as V a n da l i c u s A f ri,

ca n u s and Ge t i c u s .

Thou wh o r e ad e st thi s know that I hav e follow e d t h e

, 3 1 6
w ri tings o f my anc e sto rs and hav e cull e d a fe w flow e rs
,

f rom th e i r b road m e ad o w s to w e av e a chapl e t fo r hi m

who car e s to know th e s e things L e t no o n e b e li e v e that
.

to t h e advantag e o f t h e rac e o f whi ch I hav e sp ok e n

though ind e e d I t rac e my ow n d e sc e nt f rom i t I hav e —

add e d aught b e si d e s what I hav e r e ad o r l e arn e d by

i nqui ry Ev e n th u s I hav e not includ e d al l that i s w ri tt e n
.

o r told about th e m no r spok e n so much to th e i r pra is e as

,

to t h e glory o f him wh o conqu e r e d th e m .

1 44 J ORDA N ES : OR I GI N A N D DE EDS OF T H E G OT H S

Ca n a r y I s l a n d s Ga l i c i a : Go l l i ci o o r Co l lo e cio i s t h e m o d e r n
.

Ga l i c i a i n N W S p a i n L u s i t an i a : a pp r o x i m a t e l y c o r r e s p on di n g
. . .

t o P o rtu gal Te m p l e o f H e r c u l e s : t h i s w a s o n a n i s l a n d i n t h e
.

n e igh bo rh o o d o f th e town of O n o ba ( n o w cal l e d H u el v a) in t h e

S e e S t r a b o 3 5 5 p I 7 O : 6 38 V730 0” H pa KM OUS
'

p r o v in c e o f B a e tica .
, , , .

i ep o w KGL/Lél nl’ K a r o « (SAW OvoBa v T fis I Bnp l a s S c i p i o s M o n um e n t :

‘ " '
’
’
.

w e a r e t o u n d e r s t a n d by t h i s t h e m o u u m e u tu m Co e po u i s i u i ps o
m o ri s c opu l o mo g i s q uo m i n s u l a e i mpo s i t u m ( M e la , 3 , I , 5 ; S t r a b o 3 ,
I , 9, p . n e a r t h e m o u t h o f t h e B o e ti s ( n o w t h e Gu a da l q u i v i r ) .

I t s m e nt i o n h e r e i n ti onw i t h G a l i ci a a n d L u s it a n i a :i s
' ’

c o n n ec

p e r h ap s du e t o a c o n u s io n f w i t h t h e pr o m u u t ur i u m s a cr u m ( Ca p e
St . Vi n c e n t ) .

8 . B al e a r e s ; t h e B a l e a r i c I s l a n ds Me v a n i a : I s l e o f Ma n ? .

s ee O r o s i u s I 2 82 : h u i c ( I r e l a n d) e ti o m M e v o u i o i u s u lo pr ox i m o
, ,

es t .
'
Orca de s : the O rkn e y s . O ro s iu s I ,
2, 78 : o t er g o ( B r i t ai n)
Or co do s i n s u l a s h o be t , q u or u m v i gi u ti d e s er to e s u u t, tr e de ci m
c o l u u tu r .

9 . Th u l e : Ma i n l a n d , t he l arge s t of t h e S he t l a n d I s l a n ds ; o r,

a cc o r d i n g to o th e rs , I ce lan d . Ma n t ua n b a r d : V e r g i l Ge o r g i c s ,
'

I , 30 : ti bi s cr o i o t u l ti m o Thy l e . S c a n dz a : or S c a n di o ,
the
S c a n di n a v i a n p e ni n s u l a .

I I 1 0 L iv y t e l l s : s e e . Ta c it u s , Ag r i c o l a Io: fo r m a m t o ti u s
L iv i u s R u s t i cu s
'

B r i to u m o e v e te r u m , F a bi u s r e c e u ti u m e l 0q u e n

t is s i m i o u c t orr e s o bl o u g a e s c u tu l a e ve l bi pe n n i o ds i mi l o o e r e

mli m oms t u uc pr i m u m R o ma n o c l a s s i s ci r c u m
'

h ou c orom u o v i s si

v e c to i u s u lo m e s s e B r i to n n i o m o f
fi r m o v i t C ae s a r : s e e Ta c i t u s .
,

A g r i c o l a I 3 : pr i m u s o m n i u m R o m o u or u m di v u s I u li u s c u m e x er c i t u
B mt a u u i o m i u g r e s s u s
‘

I I f a c e Gau l a n d Ge r m a n y :
. Mela
3 , 6 , 50 : ( B r i ta i n ) i n te r
se p t e u ti ri o u e m o c c i d e u te m q u e pr oi e c ta gr o u di a ng u l o R h e u i o s ti o

pr os pi ci t ; de i u o bli q uo r e t r o o l ter o l o t er o o bs tr o hi t, o l t er o Go l li a m
Ge r m o u i o m s pe c to u s ; tu m r u r s u s pe r pe t u o m o rgi u e d iv e c t i l i t o r i s o b
t er g or e a bdu c to i t e r u m s e i n di v e r s os a n gu l o s c u n e a l tr i q u e tr o .

S e e a l s o Ta c i t u s A g r i c ol a I o : i m m e u s u m s po ti u m pr o c u w
, eu

t i u m e x t r e m a i a m li t or e t e r m r u m v e l u t i n c u u e u m t e n u o tu r .

s t adia : D io e p i t 7 6 1 2 : m i @ 97 55? ( B r i t a i n ) 7 6 MP .
,

ér xlh t m Ka i éKo T OV r pLdKo vr a 6150 e i o i , 7 00 6% 6i; WAdT OUS To ,a t v «M i c r o n

‘
r a xt o
'
!

Oe‘ xa Ka i r pt o xéo t o c Ka l O
‘
w xl Noz, T o 66‘ éh dxw r o v 7 pLo K60 Lo a ' ' '
.

1 2. the s ea : see Ta c i t u s ,
Agri c o l a m or e pi g r u m e t g r o v e
1 0:

r e mi go u ti bu s pe r hi be u t u e v e n ti s q u i de m per i n de a t t o l l i cr e do q u o d , ,

r o ri or es t e nr o e m o u t es q u e , co us o oc m o te r i o t e mpe s to tu m , pr o et

fu n da m o l e s cont n ui i mo r i s to r di u s i mpe lli tu r u u u m o d did er ri m

u us quom l o ti u s d o m i u a ri m or e .
'
S t r ab o r e l at e s : S tr a b o
Ko r éxe t IroN w xpo
’
év 6% T a i s o Z 0pLa Ls éul xlvq
‘

4, 5 , 2, p 200 , C 3 5 : y ov
-
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,

(bo r e 63 i mépa s 8M) : é1r 2 T pe i s p ox

/0v i
) T ér r a pa s dSpa s T o: «cpl 7 91v p e o nufipl a v
O jNo v
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p aa fla t r c wi
' '
.
 C O M M E N T AR Y 1 45

I 3 . C o rn e l i u s sa ys : see T a c i t u s , A g r i c o l a 1 2 : n or c l a r o c l
.
'

e x tr e m a B r i t a n n i a e pa r t e bir e o i s , u t fi n e m a t q u e i n i ti u m l u c i s e x i g u o

di s c r i m i n e i n t e r n o s c a s m o r e p r o du c t i v e p e a rl s : M e l a 3 6 , .
,

5 0 5 1 ; fe cu n da v e r u m i i s q u a e pe c o r a q ua m h o m i n e s be n i g n i u s
.
,

a l a n t fe r t n e m o ro s a l t u s q u e a c pr a e g r a n di a flu m i n o o l t e r ni s m o t i bu s
.

m o do i n pe l o g u s m o d o r e tr o fl u e n ti a e t q u a e da m g e m m a s m a r g a r i
tos q u e g e n e r o n t i a C a l e d o n i a : t h e H i g h l a n d s i n t h e n o rt h e r n
.

p art S c ot l a n d
of Wi t h t h i s p a s s a g e c o m p a r e Ta c it u s , A g r i c o l a
.

I I : r u ti l a e Ca l e d o n io m h a bi ta n ti u m c o m a e m a g n i o r tu s Ge r m a ni c a m ,

o r i gi n e m a ds e v e r o n t S i l u r u m c o l or a ti v u l t u s , t or t i pl cr u m q u e cr i n es
.

pos i ta H i s pa ni a I be r os
’

et c o n tr a v e t e r es t r o i e c zs s e e o s q u e s e de s o c cu

pa s s e fide m fa ci u n t Al s o Ta c i t u s H i s to ri e s Ge r m a n os .
,

flu xi s c o r po r i bu s .

14 a l i k e wi l d : M e l a 3 6 5 1 : fe r t popu l o s r e g e s q u e po pu l or u m
.
, , ,

s e d s u n t i n cu l ti o m n es Dio a s s u re s u s : D i o e p i t 76 1 2 : . .
,

yOé z/t oc Ka i Mc uéi r a t

5 6 yé vn 7 66V B p er r a mbu ué yw r d c l o t , K o h w
‘ ’

(1 67 6
‘ ‘ ’ ’ '
. .

Ko l 1 a 7 631/ 600w» ! n poo p fi ua r a di s c i u c i u o vy Ke

‘

xcba ev . wo ods a re th e r i
h om e :
’

so S trab o 4 5 , , 2, p _ 20 0 : « (Ske w 5 cl a w oi 5pouol

wept gbpdfa m e s ' '
y ap 5 éV5pGO L '

fi Ka r a e fih nuér ow e fip v xwpij Mi k h a il éur a fida

‘
Ka i

on owfivr o t Ka i 7 Ka r a o r a fiae o mobs « oM/u xpéuov

’
a i rr oi Ko k v fi a Boo xéuo r a )
o vo w o n
‘
.

Th e y p a i n t t h e i r b o d i e s : M e l a , 3, 2, i n c e r tu m ob d e c or e m an

q u id a li u d v i tr o c or po r a i nfe c ti . ca u s o s t o m e n b e l l or u m cl be l l a c on

t'r a h u n t ac s e fr e q u e n t e r i n v i c e m i nfe s ta n t m a xi m e i mpe r i t a n di ,

cu pi
di n e s t u di o q u e ea pr o l a t a n di qu a e poss i d e n t di nui ca n t n o n e q u i ta tu .

m odo ou t pe di t e , v e r u m c l bi gi s e t c utr r i bu s Ga l li c e a r m o ti : c ov i n n os

v a ca n t : q u or u m fa l ca ti s o r i bu s u t u n t ulr S e e Cl a u di a n u s d e l a u d
. .

S t il i ch . 2 , 24 7 : B r i ta n n i a fe r r o pi c ta g e n os ; in R u fin . I , 3 13 :

m e m br o q u e q u i fe r r o g a u de t pi n xi s s e Ge l o n u s -

I I I 1 6 a b ov e : s e e 9 P t ol e m a e u s
. . m a de m e n t i o n : P t o l e I .

' '

m aa n s 2 1 1 , 3 3 ; A1r avo r olxé w 5 % T i ): Xepo o mjo o v r éo o o pe s o i Ka ko oae uo c

‘

E rro l /(Sl a t , r pe i s u é v a mpa l , 3 4 : u l a 5 % jo ey l o r ry Ka i oua r oN Kwr d r n Ka r o

/
.
, ,

o: éKfioNiLs Ot uo r oék a n or a ao fi Ka h e i r a c 6 e (:5 l i ur ?) E lem/5 1a

’
T
35 : Ka o .

Me l a m a e s m e n t i o n : lM e l a , 3 , 3 , 3 1 :
k s u per A l bi m Co da nu s
i n ge ns s i n u s m a g n i s pa r v i s q u e i n s u l i s Ir e fe r tu s es t . T h e C o da n lGu l f
ap p e a r s to be t h e K a t t e ga t . M o mm s e n l s m i s t a k e n i n s a y i ng
( p 5 8 n o t e 2 ) de S c a n di o a u c t o r ta c e t I n Me l a 3 6 54 w e r ea d
.
,
.
, , ,

( a s r e s t o r e d b y M u e l l e n h o ff) : i n i l l o s i n u q u e m Co da n u m di xi m u s
'
. .

e xi m i a S ca n di n a vi a S e e B e r l i n e r P h i l o l o g i s oh e W o c h e n s c h r i f t 1 4 ' '
v
.

( I 89 4 ) 1 3 89 ,
.

I 7 S a r m a t i a n M o u n t a i n s : t h e C a rp a t h i a n r a n g e
. V a gu s : .

M u e l l e n h o ff ( W e l t k a r t e p 3 1 ) b e l i e v e s t h a t t h i s i s t he s a m e
-

, .
'

s t rea m c alled by t h e anon ym o u s Geo g r ap he r o f R a v e n n a 4 1 1 , , ,

t h e B o n gi s , a n d a r gu e s that as t h e N o rt h m e n c a l l e d e v e r y s t r e a m
Ocean flo d v ags fl é i ? v ags s tr a u mr
‘

t h a t e m p ti e d i n t o t h e 71 o , , ,

or s o m e th ing of the s o rt, th e g e n e ra l t e rm Se ems h e re t o b e

u se -
d as a p ro p e r n am e .
I 46 J OR DA N E S I ORI G I N A N D D E E D S OF T H E GOT H S

1 9 . P t ol e m a e u s m e n t i on s P t o l e m a e u s 2, : 3 5 : m l xa r éxo u
’

Xa ¢ 6e wol , 6 d ua r oNK cx (2) <I>a v 6vcu Ka i ( 3 ) (Ft pa Z O OL

‘
w 6v7 m d (I )
’

fis p3
'
‘ ‘
a a tzr . 12

d 5e d (4 ) T 6L 6e ,u ea np flp wd ( 5) I o fir m mi (6) Aa wcl wve s , 6L 6 é

‘

[ Tt [ 7
'
7

MW (7) Ae v m ha s b e e n
A d o gi t : M u e l l e n h o ff t h i n k s
. th s i n am e

c o r r u p t e d a n d w e a r e t o u n d e r s t a n d b y i t t h e A l og i i o r H a l o gi i

o r H dl e y gi r t h e i n h ab i t a n t s o f H dl oga l a u di , t h e m o s t n o r t h e r n
,

re g i o n of N o rw a y , n ow k no w n as N o r dl a n d '
,
a n d e x t e n di n g be
yond t he A rc t i c C i r c l e .

21 . S c r e r e fe n n a e : a c co r di n g to Mu e l l e n h o fi
’
, th is f o rm o f the
n am e is used i n c o r r e c t l y b y J or da n e s fo r S c r e refe n n a e S c r e t h e ,

fau na e S cr i th e fe u m or S c r idifiu m U n de r t h i s n a m e h e h e r e i n
’ '

,
.

e l u de s al l men o f F i n n i sh r a ce . S e e P 'r o c o p i u s b . Go th , 2, 15 :

f
f
Z KpLOi g
bwm o fr e é r ol y fiv y e wp yo fia w o fr e fir oi s ai
‘ ‘

y v va i Ke s
' ' '
Tl
' ' ' ‘
a . a

épy dfo vr a t , 1% d d vé pe s 16 2 £131! r a ts EI 57V Hfipa v uévnv é1r t r n6e tfiov

‘
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0 0 y v va L
‘ '
7

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Ta t )t
077/ y dp Ka i dkkwv { p wv ,u éy a Xpfi ? fir ots
'
c ua 7 6
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. Tl . a ac a

¢ épov<n ue ydh a t 157r e v é§ 6pm 8 i y o wéxe t Kpécw t

’
af
loat l Ka l
p¢
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s (ca Ta t r
'
.
, , .

ué v 077,0 l de l 7 0v dk w xouéuwv 7 u 6 épyua r a 5 e dq t éw v w a c

’

P a u l u s h i s at L an g 5 : S cr i t ofim
I cr u di s a gr es ti u m a n i ma n
'

. .
, .

ti u m ca r u i bu s v e xc u u t ur de q u or u m , e ti a m h i r ti s pe l l i bu s s i bi i n du
m e u t a pe r a pta u t . S u e h an s : see Z eus s : D i e D e u t s c h e n u n d di e ‘ -

Na c h b a r s t am m e u
p .
514 . Th u r i n g i a n s h o rs e s : s ee

Ca s s i o do r u s H e r m i na fr i d o Th or i u g or u m Th e o dor i c u s
'

4, I :
'

v ar . r e gz

m or e g e n
’

r ex i n di ca m u s u os v e u i e n ti bu s l e g a ti s v e s tn s

ti u m s u s c e pi s s e e gu a s a rge n te o c o l or e v es ti t o s . s a pp h i r e

c ol o r e d : 0 a 1r ¢ e lpwos li ke l a pi s l a z u l i ; s abl e s .

22 . Th e u s t e s R an ii t he se twe nt y -
s e ve n tr be s i a re

v a gu e l y c o nc e i v e d as dw e l l i n g i n a r e ce di n g s e ri e s o f n o rth e rn -

r e gio n s .

24 . R o du u l f : M o m im s e n thin ks th e i s t o be i de n t i fi e d wi th t hat
Ki n g
'
P o 5 ofik qfio s of t he H e r u l i m e n t i o n e d b y P r o c o p i u s ( b Go t h . .
,

2, 4) , w h o w a s
I f o r c e d b y hi s t ri b e t o m a e w a r o n t he L o m k ‘

b a r ds i n t h e t h i r d ye ar of th e e m p e ro r An a s t a s iu s ( th e y e a r
and was s lain in b attl e . Th i s sa m e m a n m a y we l l h a v e ‘

com e to T h e o d o r ic at t h e t i m e w he n h e w a s i n M o e s i a , n am e l y
b e f o r e 4 89 , a n d a s e d h i s p r o t e c t i o n k
Th a t h e de s p i s e d h i s o w n .

k i n g do m i s p r ob a b l y a n e x a gg e r a t i o n o f t h e IGo t h i c h i s t o r i a n s .

V 2 5 B e r i g : t he p e r i o d o f t h i s e a r l i e s t K i n g o f t h e Go t h s
I .

i s t h o u g ht by M u e l l e n h o ff t o b e n o t e a r l i e r t h a n t h e fi r s t c e n t u r y
o f o u r e ra R e l y i n g o n P l i n y ( N H , 3 7 , 2 a n d 4, I 4 ) , H o d g i n
. . . k
a r g u e s ( t a l y a n d h e r i n v a de r s , 1 89 2 ,
I ,
t h a t t h e Go t h s w e r e I I .

s e t tl e d o n t h e Ba l t i c at l eas t as e a rl y 330 B C ,
as and p o s s bl i y
as e a rl y as t he s ixth c e n tu r y B C Go t h i s c a n d z a : s o m ew h e re

n ear the s ou th e a s t ern c o rne r o f t h e B a l t i c , p r o b a bl y n ot fa r f r om

th e m o de r n c i ty of D :a n t z i g . .

26 . a b o de s of t h e U l m e r u gi : Z eus s (p . th in ks t h at th e
1 48 J O R DA N E S : OR I G I N A N D D E E DS OF T H E GOT H S

r i dg e in the Ch e r s o n e s u s Ta u ri c a , n ow t he C ri m e a . La ke
Ma e o t i s : t he S ea of Azo v . B o s p h o ru s : t he Ci m m e r i a n B o s
p h o ru s,
'
the o ut let o f t he Sea of Az o v . A r a xe s : a r i v e r o f
A r m e ni a , n ow t h e A r as . li ke a m us h ro om : co m p a r e Ca s s i o
do ru s var .
3, {m a (of th e m o u n ta in ) gra ci l i o ra s uu t q ua m'

c a c u m i na et in m o lli s s i m i fu n g i m o do s u pe r i u s e x t e n di t u r , cu m

i nfe r i o r e pa r t 6 te u u e t u r . Al b a n i : t h e n at iv e s of Al b a n i a on th e

Ca s p i a n ,
n ow S c h i r w an . S e re s : t he Ch i n e s e .

31 . P ers i s : a c oun tr y b e t w e e n Ca r m a n i a , Me di a an d S u s i a n a,
n ow F a rs or -
F a r s i s t an . H e re th e w o rd se e m s t o be u sed in a

m o r e g e n e r a l s e n s e fo r :P e r s i a . H i b e r ia : or I be r ia
'
,
n ear th e
Ca uc a s u s n o w Ge o r g i a ,
‘

32 . B o ry s t h e n i s , Ol bia : the t o wn -
oi O l bi a , a col o n y f ro m
Mi l et u s , was s i t ua te d at the m outh of th e r ve r i Bo ry s t h e n e s .

Th e B ovi t h e n i de , O l bi a i n di c a t e s t h a t J o r d a n e s , fo l
'

exp re s s i o n ,

l o w i n g h i s l i t e ra r y s ou rce i or th is p a s s ag e , t o ok t he s e as the
n am e s o f t w o t ow n s . H ow e v e r i t s ee m s not unli ke ly that B or s y
t he
'
-
nis an d O l bi a a re m e re l y two na m e s fo r t h e s a me p la c e
( s e e S t ra bo , 7, 3 , Th e r e w e r e s ev e ral t o wn s of Gr e e k o rig n i
n am e d O l bia
'
, an d J o r da n e s
( R o ma n a I 67 ) m e n t i o n s a n h im s e l f ,

ot her O l b i a i n S a r di ni a S a v a g n e r ( p 3 60 ) i n c o r r e c t l y i n de x e s . .

“
Ol b i a o n t h e B o r y s t h e n e s u n de r O l b i a ( T e r r a N u o v a ) c a p it a l e
C a l l i p o l i s : p r o b a b l y i n t h e Ta u r i c C h e r
”
d e l i l e d e S a r da i g n e
’
.

sonese . C h e r s on : on t h e E u x i n e , p e rh ap s E up a t o ria , a c it y '

of

t h e Tau r ic Ch e r s o n e s e . Th e o d o s i a : a t o wn of t he Ta u r i c Ch e r
s on es e, now Caf a f or F e o do s i a
-
.
‘

Ca r e on : i
s n ce this is pl ace d
b e t we en M y r m i c i o n ( s ee S t r a b o 7 4 5 p
T h e o do s i a an d , , , , .

th e p l a c e m ea n t i s e v i d e n t l y P a n t i c a p a e u m ( n o w K e rt s c h ) in ' -

the Ta u r i c Ch e rs o n e s e M y rm i c i o n : a l s o i n t h e T a u r i c C h e r
.

s o ne s e . Tr a p e z u s : a ci t y i n P o nt u s , now Tr e b i -
-
zond . R hi
p a c i an m o u n t a i n s : range of m o u n ta i n s s upp o s e d t o be in the
'

n o rth e rn p a rt of S c y t hi a . Ta n a i s : t h e r i ve r Do n . Se e O ro s iu s ,

1, 2, 4 .
5 : R i ph a ei m o n t e s Ta n a i m flu v i u m fu n du n t qui
Ma e o t i da s a uge t pa l u d e s .

33 . G e p i da e : s e e XV I I 94 9 5 .
-

Ti si a : t h e P a t i s u s a r i v e r ,

of H ungar y ,
now t h e Th e i s s . F l u t a u s i s : M o m m s e n th i nk s i t
p r o b a bl e t h a t t h i s i
r ver of H u n g a r y i s t he sa me as th e A l u ta m e n
tion e d by J o nd a n e s i n X I I 7 4 .

34 . V e n e t h i : Mu e l l e n h o ff u p h o l d s t h i s - -
sp e l l ing which h e '
sa ys
is co nfirm e d b y t h e Go t h i c Vi n i th é s .

35 . No v i o du n u m : i n l owe r Mo e s ia , p ro b a b l y t he m o de r n
I s ak t s c h a -
.

36 . V i di v a ri i : M u e l l e nlh o ff s a
-
ys t ha t t h i s n am e ( o f Wh i c h Vi v i
da r ii i n X V I I 96 i s a c o r r u p t , fo rm ) , is a h y b r i d de ri v e d fr o m the
i s l a n d s b e t w e e n t h e m o u th s of the V i s t u la and t he a dj a c e nt
 C O M M E N T AR Y 1 49

s wa mp The s e w e re g e n e ra l l y k n ow n by the Ge r m a n s i n t he
-

. .

m i d dl e a ge s as Wid l a u d '
r .

37 . B u l ga r e s : t h is t ri b e , w i t h t he A nt e s a nd t'h e
. S c l a ve ni ,
m a de r a i ds i n t o Th r a c e an d I lly ria i n 5 49 and 5 50 . See J o r da n e s
R o m a ua 3 88 la n d P r o c 0p i u s Go t h , 3 40 , p 5 60 A
, , tw o h o r d e s : -

.
, . .

b u t s e e C a s s i o d o ru s v a r 3 , 6 : pu l l u l a t e x u u o g e n e r e q u a dr i fa ri a m .

de cu s A l t z i a gi ri : se e
. eu s s, p 7 1 5 ( Cu tz i ag i r i ) S ab i r i : s e e Z . .
‘

Ze us s , p .
71 1715 ,
H u n u gu r i : eu s s, p 712 Z . .

38 . in o u r c i t y : p r o b a b l y C o n s t a n t i n op l e ; se e i n t r o du c t i o n ,
t a l e s : w i t h t h e fa bu l i s a m l i bu s e mt h e t e x t
‘

o l d wiv e s
’ '

p .

c om p are t he V u l g a te I , . Ti m .
, IV , 7 : a u i l es fa bu l as d e v i ta .

39 . Z al mo x e s , o r Z a lm o x i s : m e ntione d by
'
H e r o do t u s (4 ,

94 96)
-

as t he r e pu t e d t e ac h e r of the G e ta e w h o g a ve t he m t he
,

d oc t ri n e of i m m o rt a l i t y w h i c h h e w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e l e a r ne d

f ro m P y t h a g o ra s . E v e n H e r o d o t u s d o u bt s w h e t h e r h e w a s a

N g
'

96
’

h i s t o r i ca l c ha r a c t e r : 6% é yé ve r b Z d vfip m ro s , e tr
‘
' '
n s oL uo t s
'
c
-
.
,
,

ém xaypt os xa t pér w ! A p u l ei u s ( D e M a gi a
’
éa r l Sa l a wu I ér y a c
‘
T LS o fir o s
'
l
,

re fe r s t o Z a l m oxi s a s a n a n c i e nt T h r a c i a n m a g i c i a n w ’h o s e
i n ca nta ti o n s and oth er u tt e r a nc e s a re m e n t i on e d b y P l a t o .

Z euta : p o s s ibl y S e ut h e s , w h o a c c o r d i n g t o S u i d a s w a s t h e f a t h e r
‘
-

of A ba r i s . D i c i n e u s : t he Ae xa l ueos o f S t r a bo , 7 , 3 , 5 , p 29 8 ; .

7, 3, I I , p .
3 03 .

40 . D io rel ate s : D i o , 68, 9 : ér evr éuqfie t ué v ( D e c e ba l u s ) Wpéa fie t s

’
O13K én 7 631/ K01 11 177 6 1! (ba r ep wpér epo v, d a 7 631/ 1n )\o ¢ 6pwv dpl a r ovs '
. B u t,
as Mom ms e n re ma r ks , C a s s i o d o r u s di d n ot use th e a n n al s of

D i o Ca s s i u s as m u ch as the Ge ti c a of D ilo C h r y s o s t o m , Wh o
p r o ba bl y gi v e s a s im il a r ac c o u n t , j u dg i n g f r o m h i s w o r d s i n 7 2
’

( 2, p 3 83 , R e i s ke ) : évfla é vl or e fih éu o va w d u6po57r ovs r obs ué v T wa s u th ov s

,
,
l

’
s éxovr a s , ( 5 3 V0
’

é1r i T a i s Ke ¢ a > 1! 7 651/ S pam? » T LVGS 7 631’ I e r cbu h e youé k

‘ ‘
xa 2
'
.

P i ll e ati : s e e X I 7 1 V e r gi l : A e n 3 , Gr a di v u m q u e pa br e m , . .

Ge ti ci s q u i pr a e s i de t
'

a r ms .

42 . B a l t h i : th e B o l d : see XX I X I 46 . A m al i : see note on

X I V 78 o n ,
'

, t h e ge n e a l o g y of th is fa m i l y .

43 m o re . h i s t o ri an t h a n poet : J o r da n e s i s h e re re

p e atin g a l i t e ra ry c o m m o n p la c e ; se e Ma r t i al I 4, 1 94 ; S e rv i u s ad

Ae n . I , 3 82 ; I si do ru s o rig ,
8 , 7, 10 T h e y s t r i n g A rm e n i a n
.

b ow s : L u c a n ,
P h a r s a l , 8, 22 1 : A r m e u i os q u e a r c u s Ge ti ci s i n te n di t e
n e rvi s . In e a rl e s t i t i m e s : a u te qu os in Mo m m s e n ’
s t e xt s e e m s
i m p o s s i b l e t o t r a ns l a t e w i t h cle arne s s o f re e re n c e f . So I fo l l o w
the r e a di n g a n ti q u i tu s . E t e rp a m a r a : M u e l l e n h o ff
‘
r e g a r ds th is
as a v er y o bs cu re wo r d , p r o ba bl y not of Ge r m a n i c o r i gi n .

F r i t i ge rn : in all p r o b ab i l i t y t h e l e a de r of the V i s ig o t h s in the

t im e of E m p e ro r V al e n s . V i d i g o ia : the Go t h i c h e r o m e n '

tion e d in XX X I V
44 . O r os i u s s p ea k s : see O ro s iu s ,
1, 14 : Ve s oz e s r ex
I SO J OR DA N E S I OR I G I N A ND DE EDS OF T H E GOT H S

A e gy pt i be l l u m pr i m u s i n di x i t
S cy t h i s S cy t h a e Ve
s oz e m t e r r i t u m r efu g e r e i n r e g n u m c og u n t c .
pu d S cy th a s
1 5: a

du o r e g ii i u v e n es P l y u os et S c o l opy t h u s i n g e u te m i uv e u tu te m
s e cu m tr a x er e pe r i n s i di as tr u ci da h tu r . h or u m u x or e s e xi l i o

a c v i du i t a t e per m o ta e a r ma s u m u u t A m a z o n es di c ta e . Veso
sis : S e s o st ri s of E g yp t , R am e s e s
Gr e a t T ra d it i o n t r a n s II , t he .

f o r m e d h i m i nt o t ha t m i l i t a r y h e r o w h om t h e Gr e e k s k n e w a s
-

E éa wa r pi s ( H e r o d 2 , 1 02 1 1 0 ) o r E w éwm .
( Di o d S i c , I , 5 3 -

. .

a nd t o w h o m t h e y a s c r i be d f a b u l o u s e x p e d it i o n s t o T h ra c e a n d

I n di a .

45 . n ev e r s ol i difi e d : Ta n a i s e x R iph a e ose e Mel a ,

1, 19, 1 15 :

m o u t e d e i e c t u s a de o pr a e c eps r u i t, u t c u m vi ci na flu m i u a tu m
, ,

M a e o ti s e t B os ph or u s tu m P o u t i a l i q u a br u m a l i r i g o r e du r e u tu r ,
s ol us a e s tu s hi e m e m q u e i u x ta fe r e n s i de m s e mpelr e t s u bs i m i l is
i u ci ta t u s q u e de cu r r a t . b o u n da r y of Asia and E u r op e : c o m p a re

O ro s iu s I ,
2, 4, 5 2 .

46 . as f rom i t s m oth e r : Me l a , 7 : Ca l l i pi da s H y pa n i s i h
2, I ,

c l u di t : ex gra n di pa l u de o r i tu r, q u a m m a tr e m e i u s a cco l a e a ppe l l a n t -

et di u q u a l i s : M e l a , 2 , 1 , 6 : B o ry s t h e n e s
u a t u s es t de flu i t fi sh .

a l i t l a e t i s s i mi pa bu la m a g u os q u e pi s ce s , q u i bu s e t opt i m u s s a por
e t n u l la os s a s u u t lS o l i n u s , 1 5 , I : i n q u o ( B o ry s t h e n e s ) pi s c e s
.
-

e g r e gi i s a po ri s et q u i bu s '

o s s a u u l la s u u t u e c a l u d i quam r ti l a g i n e s
c av

te n e r r i m a e . E xa m p a e u s : Mel a ,
2, I , 7: t a n tu m n on l ou ge a

ma r i ex pa r t/o fo n t e c u i E xa mph e o c og n o m e n e s t a de o a m ara s a q u as

a cc i pi t ,
u t i ps e q u o q u e i a m s u i di s s i m i l i s e t n o n du l c i s h i m d eflua t .

As i a ces pr ox i m u s i n t er Ca l l i ppi das A s i a ca s q u e d es c e n di t Ca l l i .

p i da e an d H yp a n i s : t h e se tw o t o w n s at the m outh o f t he D a n a p e r
(o r B o ry s t h e n e s ) a re not t o be i d e n t ifi e d w ith any ot h e r t o w ns
m e n t i o n e d by J o r da n e s i n V 3 2 . .For C a l l i p i da e , see S t ra b o ,
1 2, 3, 21, p .
55 0 . A c h i ll e s : Me l a ,
2, 7 , 9 8 : L e u c e B ory s t h e n i s o s t i o
o bi e c ta ( i n s u l a ) pa r e d ad m o du m e t q u o d i bi A c h i l l es s i tu s e s t,
A c h i l l ea c og n o m i n e .

VI 47 . T a n a u s i s : th e r e i gn of th i s c o n t e m p o ra r y of V e s o si s
( S e s o s t ri s )
-
is a s s ign e d by Gu t s c h m i d t o 1 3 23 -
1 2 90 B C . See .

ch ro n o l o g c al i c ha r t p .
38 . P h as is : a i
r ver of Co l c h i s , n ow

t he R io ni , empt yi n g i n t o the Bl ac k Sea . c on q u e re d al l

A s i a : A si a Mi n o r o f c o u r s e I u s t i n u s , 1 1 6 : fu er e
,
V ez os i s .
‘

, , .

A e gy pti e t S cy t h i a e r e x Ta ua u s q u o r u m a l t e r i h P o u tu m a‘l t e r , ,

u s q u e A e gy pt u m e x c e s s i t 2 3 8 : pr i m u s S cy th i s be l l u m i n di xi t
'

.
, ,

V e z os i s r e x A e gy pt i u s S c y th a e l e ga t i s r es po n de n t
du m a d s e v e m a tu r u e c d i c ta r es
‘

n o n e xpe c t a t u r o s S cy th a s

m ora t a rex in fu ga m v e r ti t u r S c y th a s ab A e gy pt o
pa l u de s pr o hi bu er e . i n de r e v e rs i As i a m pe r do m i ta m v e c ti g a l e m

fe c e r e . S o rn u s : as t h e re i s no m e n ti o n o f S o rn u s i n Justin ’
s
n a r ra t iv e , this s t a t em e n t m a y h a v e 'be e n ta ken fr o m P o m p e i u s
T r o g u s d i r e c tl y , e it h e r by J o r da n e s or his
'
s o u rc e .
 1 5 2 J OR DA N E S I ORIGI N A ND DE EDS OF T H E G OT H S

I u s t inu s ,
2, 4, pa r t e m e x e r c i tu s cu m i nge n ti pr a e da d o m u m
di m i t tu n t . Co m p a r e O ro s iu s ,
I ,
1 5 ha v e
. m e nt i on e d : see VI I
50 . C a u c a s u s m o u n t ai n s : s ee S o l i nu s 3 8, I O : m o n s Ta u r u s ab

I nd i c o pri m u m m a r i s u r g i t 12 : no mi n a tu s . u bi in
e x c e ls i s s i ma m c o ns u r gi t Ca u cas u s
s u bl i m i ta t e m 13 : q u a n tus
m e r i di e m v i d e t, s ole i n a e s tua t ; q u i dq u i d s e pt e m tr i o n i o ppos i tu m es t .

v e n to t u n di t u r et pr u i na .

53 . V a s i an e n s i a n i
r e g on : s o m e p a rt o f A rm e n i a i s m e a n t , p e r
h ap s t h e ‘
BM W O IIWl'

of ( P to l o m a e u s 5, I 3, 13 R ed S ea : t h e
.

Pe rs ia n Gu l f .

54 . the A ra xe s : se e n ot e on V 30 . th e C y ru s : n ow th e
K u r, a ri v e r em pt ying i n t o t h e A ra x e s . th e Cam b y s e s , t h e
J o ra ,
a li tt le riv e r of A l b a n i a w‘h i c h e m p ti e s into t he C y ru s .

cu t b y th i s i
r ver : the I ste r or Da n u b e cu ts t h ro u gh t h e m o u n ta i n
ra n g e s at t he I ron Ga t e s . M om m s e n r e ga r ds H i s t ri i n t h e t e x t
as i n co r r e c t g e o g r a p h i c a l l y , t h o ug h s up p o rte d by al l t h e m anu
' -

s c rip t s . H e th i n ks t he D a n a pe r, a nd not th e I s t er , i s t h e i
r ver

h e r e m e a nt
"

. At a ny ra t e , J o r da n e s d oe s n o t sa y s o . i n S c y th i a
is n am e d T a u ru s al s o : that is, in th e T a u r i c Ch e r s o n e s e , or

Cr i m e a ; s e e n o t e o n V 3 0 .

55 C a s p i a n Ga t e s : s e e
.
50 A rm e n i a n n ote on VI I .

C i l i c i an : s e e S o l i n u s 3 8 , 1 3 : u bi de h i s ci t h i u l c is i u gi s , fa c i t por ta s ,
-

q u or u m pr i m a e s u n t A r m e n i a e, tu m Cas pi a e , pos t Ci li cia e I m au s : .

t h e H i m al a a y range . P a r Op a m i s u s : a m ou ntain c ha i n o f ce n

t ra l A si a , no w t h e H i n dukfi sc h . Ch o a t ra s : m o u n t a i n s of As s y
ria an d M e di a . Ni p h a t e s : p art of the Ta u r u s ra n g e i n Ar
m e ni a t h e m o de r n All a d a gh
, C o m p a re a l s o S o l i n u s 3 8 1 2 : pr o
-

.
,

g e n t i u m a c li n g u a r u m v ari e ta t e pl u ri fa r i a m n o mi na t u s a pu d I n d os
I am u s m o x P r opa n i s u s
, Ch oa tr as a pu d P or t h os po s t Ni ph a te s , .
,

i n de Ta u r u s a t q u e u bi i n e x c e l s i s s i m a m c o ns u r gi t s u bl i m i ta t e m Ca u
ca s us . i n te r ea e ti a m a popu l i s a ppe l l a ti o n e m tr a h i t .

VIII 56 . d e s t r oy i n g t h e l i f e : I u s t i n u s 2 4, 9 I O , . . 11 . ne g e nu s
i n t e ri r e t ,
c o n c u bi t u s fin i ti m o r u m i n e u n t s i q u i m a r es . n as c e r e n tu r ,

i n t e rfic i e ba n t : vi rg i n e s in e u n de m i ps i s m oare m ar mi s e q ui s
v e n a ti o n i bu s e x e r c e ba n t . C o m p a r e O r os iu s I 5 ,
1 .

57 . H e r c ul e s : I u st i n u s , 2, 4, 2 1 24 :
-
H e r c u l es ad li t u s A m a z o
num a dph cu i t,
'
m u l ta e ca e s a e ca pta e q u e , in hi s M ela
ni ppe ab H er c u l e , H i ppo ly t e a Th e s e o Th es e u s o bt e n t a in
pra e m i u m ca pt i v a e a nd e m in m a tr i m o n i u m a ds u m ps i t et ex ea

ge n ui t H i ppo ly t u m . C o mpa re O r os i u s 1 , 15 . P e n t h e si l e a :
O ro s iu s 5 : pos t Or i th y i a m P e n th e s i l ea r e g n o po ti ta e s t c u i u s
'

1 ,
1

Tr o i a n o be l l o c l wri s s i m a i n t e r v i r os do c u m e n ta v i r t u ti s a c c e pi m us i .

C o m p a r e I u s ti n u s 2, 4, 3 1 . th e t i me of A l e x a n de r t h e Gr e a t :
I us tinu s 2, 4 , 3 2 : i n teirfe c t a d e i n de P e n th es i l e a pa u c a e qu a e
in r eg n o r e m a n s e ra n t us qu e ad t e m po r a A l e x a n de r m ag n i
du r a v e r u n t .
 C O M M E N TA R Y I 53

I X 58 . w e h a v e p r o v e d i n a p r e v i o u s p a s s a ge : J o r d a n e s s a y s
n o th i n g o f t hi s i n a p r e v i o u s p a ss a g e i n t h e Ge t i c a
[ th o u g h i n ,

V 40 .
he uses the w o r ds Go thi an d Go e ta e i n t e r c h a n g e a bl y .

t e s ti m on y of Or o s i u s P aul u s : s ee O ro s iu s 1, 16: m odo a u tem

Ge t a e i l li , q ui et nunc Go t h i . T e l e fu s : see D i ct y s 2, 4: ( Te l e
ph u s ) H e r c u l e g e n i tu s pr o c er u s c o r po r e a c po l l e n s v i r i bu s di v i ni s
pa t r ii s v i r t u ti bu s pr opr i a m g l or i a m a e q u i pa r a v e r a t c 3 : Te u t h r a . .

n iu s Te u t h r a n t e e t A u g e g e ni t u s fra t eir Te l eph i u t e r i n u s c 5 : . .

A s ty o c h e n e n i m P r i a m i i u n c ta m s i bi ( Te l e ph o ) m a tr i m o n i o .

Q u in tu s of S m y r n a ( 6 1 3 5 ) a g r e e s w i t h J o r da n e s i n
,
sa ying that
As ty o ch e w a s t h e s i s t e r n o t t h e da u g h t e r , o f P ri a m
,
.

59 . M o e s ia : see D i ctys 2, 1 : Te l e ph u s tu m Moes ia e im

pe r a t or e r a t . H i s t ri a : a c o u nt r y on t he e a st e r n s hore Of the
A d r i at i c S e a , a f t e r wa r ds i n c l u d e d i n t he t e n t h r e gi o n o f Au g u s
tu s C o m p a r e O r o s i u s 1 , 1 , 55 : M o e s i a a b or i e n te h a be t o s t i a
'

flu m i n i s D o n u t/i i a b e u r o Th r a c i a m a m e r i di e M a c e d o n i a m ,
, ,
ab

Afr i c o D a l m a ti a m , ab o c ca s u H i s tr i a m , a c i rc i o P a n n on i a m, a

s e pt e n t r i o n e D a n u vi u m
'
.

60 . Th e s a n d e r : or Th e r s a n de r . S ee D ictys 2, 2; in ea pu g na
Th es s a n dr u s c o n gr e s s u s cu m Te l e ph o i c t u s q u e a b e o ca di t

c .
3 : Te u t h r a ni u s fr a t e r Te l e phi u te r i n u s te l o e i us

( Aj a x ) o cc u bu i t . i
e us c as u Te l e ph u s pe r c u l s u s fu ga ti s
q u os a dv er s u m i era t c u m o bs t i n a t e Vl i x e m i n t e r vi n c a s i ns e q u e
r e tu r,pr a epe di t u s tr u n c i vi ti s r u i t A ch i l l e s t e l u m i a cu l a t u s

fe m u r s i n i s tr u m r egi tr a n s figi t c 1 0 : Te l e ph u s cu m n u l l o . .

r e m e di o m e de r i po s s e t Al s o E u s t a t h i u s S c h o l I l i ad 1 5 9 : . . .
,
'
6 5 % Tfih e qfios 7r é1ro v06 u
,
ev
‘
r pa iiua
'
dew/6v 13m) Axchh éws, dun élxov 8N ! “
'

m w 0évr os 93 Ka i i re a our o s e i s E u r y p yl u s
’
av r o6 01 0 Z 1r1r ov y fiv
'
:
7 . : s ee

D i ctys 5 : A s ty o c h e n2
'
.P r i a m i i u n c ta m s i bi ( Te l e ph u s ) m a tr i
m o ni o , e x q u a E u r y py l u s g e n i t u s h e wa s i ll e d : s e e D i c ty s . k
4, 1 4 : n u n ti u s P r i a m o s u pe rv e n i t E u r y py l u m Te l e phi e x M o e s i a a d
v e n tur e , qu e m r ex o bl a ti o n e d e s po n s a e Ca s s a n dr a e c on fir ma
vera t . In c . 1 7, I 8 Di c t y s tells h ow E u ryp y l u s w a s s l a in by
Ne o pt o l e m u s a nd h i s b o n e s s e n t ba ck t o h i s
-
fa t h e r .

X 61 al m os t e xa c t l y s ix h un dre d
. an d t h i rt y y e ars : see

c h ro n ol o gi c al ch a rt p 39
. A c c o r din g t o
. Gu t s c h m i d J o r da n e s ,

h a d i n m i n d t he ye ar O f t h e a c c e s s i o n o f Cy rlu s , e ve n t h o u gh h e
r e l at e s th e e v e nt s Of the las t yea r of his re ign . I n t h i s w a y we
ge t a p e ri o d o f s ix h u nd r e d a nd t h i rt y -
one y e a r s 1 1 9 0 55 9 B C
,
-

. .

P o mpei us T r o gu s re la t e s : see I u s tin u s 1 , 8: Cy r u s s u ba c t a

As ia S cy t hi s b e ll u m i n fe r t . era t eo t e m por e r eg i n a S cy t ha r u m
To m y r i s , qua e cu m p r o h i be r e e os tr a ns i t u Oa xi s
'
flu m i ni s
p os s e t , tr a n s i r e pe r m i s i t i ta q u e Cy r u s t r a i e c ti s co pii s
c a s tr a m e ta t u s es t Cy r u s o m n es S cy t h a s cu m re

gi n a e fi l i o i n te r fe ci t ( To m y r i s ) c o m po s i ti s i n m o n ti bu s i n s i di i s
 1 54 J OR DA N E S Z OR I G I N AND DE EDS OF T H E G OT H S

du c e n ta m i l i a P e rs a r u m cu m i ps o r eg e tr u ci dav i t . C Om p a r e
-
O ro s i u s
“
2, 7 . .as I ha v e s ai d : in th e l a s t s e n ten ce ab o v e , To m y r i s ,
queen o f t h e Ge t a e .
”
O b s e r v e t ha t M o m m se n -
’
s co mm e nt -
n on

di x i t a n te a is c a n c e l l e d :i n h i s t a bl e O f c o r r i g e n da .

62 . L e s s e r S cyth i a : a di s t r i c t Of M o e s ia ,
. b o r de r i n g o n t he

Bl a c k S e a, now D o b r u dj a -
. To m i : fa m ou s as th e p l a ce of

Ov i d b a n i sh m n ow K Os te n dj é i n B u l g a r ia
’
s e nt , .

63 . A n t y ru s : see O ro si u s D a ri u s A n ty r o r e gi S cy th a
rum ha c vel
'
m a xi m e ca u s a b e l l u m i n t u l i t, q u o d fil i a e e i us pe t i t a s s ib i
nu p ti a s n o n o bti n u i s s e t c u m s e pti n g e n ti s m i l i bu s a rm a t o r u m
S cy th i a m i n gr e s s u s m e t u e n s n e s i bi r e di tu s i n t e r r u pt o pon t e ,

H i s t r i fl u m i n i s n e g a r e t u r , o m i s s i s L XXX m i li bu s be l l a t o r u m tr e
pi d u s r e f g
u i t T h e c o r r u p t Ifo r m
. o f t h e n am e A n t y ru s ( t he ‘

H e r o d o t u s 4 7 6 ) s h o w s t h a t J or d a n e s d r e w u p o n
'

I od y flvpc o s of ,

O ro s iu s r a t h e r t ha n u p o n t h e v e r y s im il a r ac c o u n t g i v e n b y -

I u s tin u s 2, 5, 8 -
10 . Ch a l c e d o n : or Ca l c h e do u , -
n ow
-
K a di k Oi , a

t ow n i n B i t h y n ia on th e Sea o f Ma r m o r a di r e c t l y , op pos t Co n i e

s tan t in op l e . B yz a n t i u m : the ancient c ity up o n wh o s e s i t e

Co n s t a n t i n o p l e w a s f t e r w a r ds bu i l t Ta p a e : a . not de fi n i t e l y
l o c a t e d, b u t ap p a r e n t l y n e a r th e D an u be Th e .
place is m en
t i o n e d by D i o Ca s s i u s 6 7 . 10 and

64 . X e rx e s : see O r os i u s X er x e s se pti ng e n ta m i l i a a r ma

t or u m d e r eg n o et t r e c e n ta m i l i a de a u x i l i i s, r o s tra ta s e ti a m n a v es

m i l l e du c e n t as ,
o n er ari as a u te m tr i a m i li a n u m er o h a bu i s s e n a rr a

tu r . See al s o I u s t in u s 2, 1 0, 1 8 20
-
.

65 . M e dop a , t h e da u g h t e r o f K ing Gu di l a : Sa t y r u s i n A t h e
naeu s 1 3, 5 p s s7 ( 1 s p e a s o f K oafih a s 5 7 5 W
1 . k fia e t h e fim F or
M e d Op a s e e S t e p h a n u s o n t h e w o r d F ET l a : ga T t ' Ka l 077mm? Te‘ T t S '

ws y ap éKa Ae i r o AMfiI/TOU S a t y r u s i n At h e
t ‘
oli r y u my I>LA£1r 1rov T ofi
<
' ’ '
77 .

n ae u s 13, 5 p 55 7 d . c al l s h e r Mvfiaa . Od e s s u s : a c ity of l o we r

Mo e s i a on th e Blac k S e a, now V a rn a .

66 . S i t al c e s P e r di c c a s : a c c o r di ng to T h u c y di de s (2 ,

in th e year 429 B C S it a l c e s , K i n g of th e O d r y s a e c o n cll u di n g a n

. .

a l l ia n c e w i t h t h e A t h e n i a n s , u n de r t o o a n e xp e d i t i o n a g a i n s t k
Kin g P e rd i cc a s II of Ma c e d o n a nd se n t ag ai n s t h im an a rm y
of m en . Th u c y di de s also m e n t i o n s t h e Ge t a e (2 .

Ai uo u
'
avi a r na e u . r ous il i r ep fici un '
P ér a s Ka i ba a . dhk a uépi ) évr bs
'
I a r pov « or a l /0 0 1rpbs ddh a a a a v udh h o v
: 7 00 E fi e l uov fi 1r 6vr ov '
Ka r
'

qi xnr o
' '
ri a l
’
5 I ér a t
‘
oi Ka i oi duopol r e 7 02
3 E xéda t s no 2 . énéa xevo t « d z/r e s i 1r 1r or o £61 a ¢ .

M o m m s e n b e l ie v e s f o u n d i n Di o t ha t t h i s i n f o r ma t i o n wa s also
'

C h r y s o s t om s Ge t i ca a n d t h a t Ca s s i o d o ru s t o o k i t f r o m t h i s
’

s ourc e B u t J o r da n e s
. f o l lo w i n g C a s s i o d o r u s c o n f u s e s P e r , ,

di c c a s I I a g a i n s t w h o m S i t a l c e s m a de w a r i n 429 B C w i t h t h e
, . .
,

oth er P e r di c ca s , t he g e n e ra l a nd s u c ce s s o r of A l e x a n de r the
G r e at a c e n tu r y l a t e r, a n d r e g a r di n g
‘
hi m as in a w ay t h e r u le r
1 56 J OR D A N ES : O R I G I N A N D D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

it s Ca p i t a l { at R a ti a r i a on the D a n u be , and D a ci a M e di te r r a n e a
w i t h it s ca p i ta l at S e r di c a , m o de r n S o fi a ( t h e c a p i t a l o f B u l .

A ft e r d i s r u p ti o n o f A t ti l a s e m p i r e i n 4 5 4 D a c i a ,
’

ga r i a ) . the
.

na m e l y tha t p a rt o f H u n ga r y w h i c h l i e s e as t and n o rth of th e

D a n u b e fe l l ,
t o the lot of th e Ge p i d a e u n de r A r da r i c .

74 . B outae : not m e n tio n e d e l s e wh e re . P o s s i bl y a c o rru p ti nn -

of P o m
( A ug u s t i ) See . J un g ,
R om e r un d R o ma n e n i n s de n
D o n a u l a n de rn ( I n n s b r u c k
i 1 88 7 ) p . 1 18 n . 2 . R oxo l an i : a

p eop l e dw e l li n g lbe t w e e n t h e r iv e r s Don and

“

D ni e p e r . I azy
ge s : ca S a r m at i a n p e opl e on th e D a n ub e . S a rm a t i a n s : a grea t
S l av i c p eopl e d we ll i n g f ro m the V i s tu l a t o th e D o n , i n t he
m o de r n P o l a nd and R u s s ia . B a s t e rn a e : t h e y dw e l t in the
l a n ds al o n g t h e u pper r e a c he s of the V i s tu la n o rth of t h e Ca r
p a t h i a n m o u n ta i n s . Al u t a : a riv e r o f Hu n ga r y , n ow t he Al t .

T h e R o x o l a ni h e r e m e n t i o n e d b y J o r da n e s
'

are the R h ox o l a m ,

S a r m a t i c a g e m o f T a c i t u s H i s t o ri e s I , 7 9 , .

75 . A l am a n n i : Ge r m a n t ri be s m o fo r med a con f e d e r a t i on
on the u pper Rh i n e a nd Da nu be , an d I fr o m w h o m th e n at i o n

got its n am e . Co m p a r e the F r e n c h A l l e magn e . s i xt y s t rea ms :

see A m m i a n us 22, 8, 44 : D a n u v i u s s e x a gi n t a n a v i g a bi l e s pa e n e
w ci pi e n s flm i o s '
. B e s si : a s a v a g e ra c e in T h ra c e ,
near the
H a e m u s m o u n ta i n s , and in the v c ni i i t y o f the ri v e r H e b ru s .

B u ry (II 1 5 ) s t a t e s t h a t t h e B e s s i o r S a t r i , i n t h e r e g io n o f
'

R‘h o do p e , r e m a i n e d l o n g e s t a c o r p o ra t e n a t i o n i n th e p r e s e n c e

of Ro m a n i n fl u e n c e s f o u r t h c e nt u r y t h e y w e r e c o n v e r t e d
. In the
t o C h r i s t i an i t y a n d a hu n d r e d y ea r s l a t e r s t il l h e l d t h e c h u r ch
‘

s e rv i c e i n t h e i r o w n t o ngu e e xc e p t th e N i l e : M e l a 2 I 8: .
, ,

H i s ter i ng e m ‘
iam et e or u m qui in n o s tr u m ma r e de c i du n t
ta n t u m Ni l o m i n or :
-
an d s e e S al l u s t, in G e l l iu s 1 0, 7, I .

XIII 76 . O pp i u s Sa b i n u s gov e rn o r a ft e r A g ri p p a :
F o n t e iu s Ag rip p a wa s g o v e r n o r
- - [
of Mo e s ia i n 69 7 0 -

( T a c i tu s , H is
t o r i e s 3 , 46 a n d J o s e p h u s B e l l . Iud .
7 , 4, a nd l o s t h i s l i f e

r e s i s t i ng a n at tac k of t he S ar m a t a e . O p p i u s S a bi n u s ( a b o u t 8 5
or 86 ) d i d n o t s u c ce e d h im d i r e c t l y , as J or da n e s s e em s t o im ply ,

fo r t h e r e w e r e at l eas t fo u r g o v e rn o r s i n b e t we e n .
( S e e S t o ut ,

Th e G o v e r n o r s o f Mo e s i a ,
P rin c to n, 1 9 1 1 , p 2 1 , n . . S a bi n u s
wa s c o nsul i n 84 , p r o babl y we n t t o M oe s i a as go v e r n o r
. t h e fo l
l ow i n g ye ar w a s k i l l e d i n 85 o r 8 6
, a nd D o rp a n e u s : t h e D i n r .

o f Oro s iu s 7 F r o m P e t r u s P a t r i c i u s t r 4 ( 4 , 1 85
’

p aneu s 10 4
'
l i -

, , . .

Mu e l l ) it . is cl e a r t hat h e i s t o b e i de n t i fi e d wi th
. D e c e ba l u s , '

t he f a m o u s D a ci a n l e a de r .

D o m i ti a n ha s t e n e d : u p o n t he de a t h o f S a b i n u s D o m i t i a n
77 .

s e t o u t i n p e r s o n fo r t h e D a n ub e b ut g a v e Co r n e l i u s F u s c u s h i s
’
.
, ,

p r a e fe c tu s p r a e t or i a c h a r g e o f t h e w a r S ee S u e ton iu s , .

D o m i t ia n 6 .
 C OM M E N T A R Y 1 57

78 . s l ew
-

F u sc u s : see E n t r op i u s - ' '

7, 23 , 4 . An s i s : m e rel y
a n o the r a n d m o r e h e ro i c '
n am e of t he Ama li , the ro yal stoc k of

the Go t h s J ac o b Gr i mm
.
'
oib s e r v e s-
th at t hi s is the s am e wo rd as

the A e s i r o f t h e Nio r t h m e n .
g e n e al o g y : s ee th e c har t on p a ge 41 .

Co m p a r e al s o wit h t h i s cha p t e r X LV I I I 2 46 o n w a r d a n d LV III

29 7 o n w a r d .

X IV 81 . it s p ro p e r p l ace : t hi s i s d o n e i n XL 315 .

82 . we h av e 3 8 a n d 42 s aid : in V .

XV 83 A s al r e a d y s a i d : i n
.
38 A l e xa n d e r : h e r e i g n e d V .

f ro m 22 2 23 5 A D S y m m a c h u s re l a t e s : s e e L i t e r a ry S o u r c e s
-
. .

p .
3 2, an d c o mp a r e I u l ii Ca p i t o l i n i M ax i m i n i du o ,
1 : M axi
m i nu s de vi c o Th r e i ci a e balr ba r o p a tr e et m a tr e g e n i
t u s , q u or u m a l te r e Go thi o , a l t etr e x
. A l a n is g e n i t u s es s e pe r h i be t u r :
et p a tr i q u idem u omeu M i c ca , m a tr i H a ba ba fu i s s e di c i t u r . Al s o
c 4: a m a tu s es t u ni c e C e ti s q u a s i e or u m c i v i s
a An d s e e .

R o m a rza 281 . Al an i :
. a v e r y w a r l i k e n o m a di c S c y t h i a n n a t i o n ,

r a ng i n g f r om t h e C a u c a s u s t o t h e Ta n a i s and n o rt h of the
Ca s p i a n . A f te r 406 A l a n s s e e m s t o l
h a v e d w e lt on the L o i re .

( B u ry
l
I . 1 67 , n ote I) .

84 . m il i t a ry ga m e s : v M a x i m i n i 2 : e t i n p r i m a q u i de m
i ta
pu e r i ti a fu i t p as t or ri a ta l i Ge ta e fi l i i m i n or i s S e v e r u s m i li ta r e s ,

da ba t l u d os pr o po s i ti s pr a e m i i s a r g e u t ei s hi c a du l e s c e n s e t
s e m i ba r ba r u s et vi x a dh u c L a ti u a e-
li ng u a e ,
p ro 7e / Th ra e c i c a i m
pe r a t or e m p u bl i ce pe t ii t , u t s i bi da r e t l i c e u ti a m c o n t e i zde u di c u m h is ,
q ui ia m u ou m e d i o cr i l o c o m i l i ta r e n t .

85 . ei gh t fe e t : v it a 2: ma g n i tu di n e m c or po ri s S e v e r u s m i r a tu s
c . 6: era t m a g n i t u di n e t a n ta , u t oc to p e de s di g i t o v i d e r e t u r egr e s s u s .

Co m p a r e v i ta Ma x i m i n i i u n . c . 2 . c am p f ol l o w e r s : v it a 2:

p ri mu m cu m cu m lir is c om pos u i t ue di s ci l i na m p m i l i talr e m

c or r u m p re t
e'
. threw s i xt e e n : v ita 2 : tu n e Ma xi m i u u s s e d e ci m

l i xa s uuo s u dor e d e v i ci t s e d e ci m a c c e pt i s pr a e m ii s i us s u s q u e
m i l i ta r e . caval r y: v ita 2: pr i m a s ti p e n di a e q u e s tr i a hui c fu e r e .

On th e t h i rd da y : v ita 3 : t e r ti a for te di e cu m pr o c e s si s s e t S e v e r u s
ad ca m pu m i n tu r ba ,
e x u l t a n te m m o r e ba r ba r i c o M a xi m i n u m vi di t

i u s s i tq u e s t a ti m tr i bu n o , u t ea m coer cer e t a c R o m a u a m d is c i l i n a m p
i m bu e r e t . tu u c i l l e u bi de se i u t e l l e x i t i mpe r a t or e m l o c u tu m
ad p e de s i m per a t o r i s e q u i t a u ti s a cc e s s i t . tu m . S e v eru s
e q u u m a dm i s i t m u l ti s c i r c u m i ti o u i bu s e t c u m im p er a t or l a b or a s
s e t n eq ue i l l e a c ur r e n d o pe r m u l t a s p a t ia d e s i s s e t .

m y l i t t l e T h r a c i a n : v i t a 3 : q u i d v i s Th ra ci s c e ? u u m q u i d
‘
86 . ,

d e l e c ta t l u c ta r i p os t c u r s u m ? t u m q u a n t u m li be t i u q u i t i m p e r a t or
‘ ’ ‘ ’ ’
.
, ,

p os t hoc ex equo S e v e r u s d es c e n di t et r e c e u ti s s i m os q u os q u e ac

t u m i l l e m or e s o l i t o s e pt e m
fo r ti ss i m os mi li t e s e i c o mpa ra r i iuss it
' -
.

fo r t i s s i m o s u u o s u d or e v i c i t s o l us qu e o m m um
’

a S ev e r o p os t
ar g e n te a ra emia d o n a tu s es t i u s s u s q u e i n te r s ti p a
p torq u e aur eo

tor e s c or p or i s s em p er in a u la c on s i s ter e .
 1 5 8 J OR DA N E S I O RIGI N A ND D EED S OF T H E G OT H S

87 . h e was an o ffi c e r : v i t a 4 : di u s u b A n t o n i n o Car a c a l l a or di n es
du r i t , c e u t u r i a tu s et c e teras m i l i ta r e s di g n i ta te s s o e e tra c ta vi t p .

w h en Ma c ri n u s b e c a m e e m p e r o r : v i ta 4 : s u b M a c r i n a , q u o d e u m,
q u i i m pe r a t o r i s s ui fil i u m o c ci d er a t, v e h e m e n t e r o di s s e t, a m i l i ti a

d es i i t . c 5 : M a xi m i u u s
. tr i bu rt u s .

88 . H e l i o ga b a l u s : o r E l a g a a l u s ; v ita 4 : o ccis o Ma c r i n a
u biH e li og a ba l u m q u a s i A n t o n i n i fil i u m i mpe r a t or e m com pe r i t ,

a d c u m v e ni t A l e xan d e r th e s o n o rf M a m a ca :
.
’
v i t a 5 : q u em
A l exa n de r miro M o g o n ti a c u m : Ma
cu m g a u di o s us ce pi t .

y e n c e o r Ma i n z A q u i l e i a : s e e O r o s i u s 7 1 8 : ( Al e xa n de r )
.
,

m i l i ta r i t u m u l tu ap ud M og u u ti a c u m i n t erfe c tu s es t c 19 : . .

Ma xi m i rt u s n u l la s e na tus v o l u n ta t e i m p e r a t or a b e r er
ci t u c r e a tu s pe r s e cu ti o u e m in Chr i s ti a n os e x e r cu i t . s ed

t e r ti o quam r e g rt a ba t P u pi e u o A q u i l e i a e i u t e r fe c tu s
a mi o a .

Aq u il e i a i s a t o wn i n T r i e s t a t t he n o r th e r n e n d o f t h e A d r i at i c ,
,

st ill cal l e d A q ui l e i a . For the s to r y of it s s i e ge and ca pt u r e by

Attil a , see X LI I 2 19 o n w ard .

XV I 89 . M a r c o ma n n i : a Ge r m a n i c p eople ,
a p or t i o n of the
t ri b e
'

of the S u e v i, w h o
. a ft e r th eir d e f e a t by D r u s u s m o v e d f r o m
th e R h in e an d Ma i n to the c oun t ry o f th e B o i i ( B o h e m ia ) .

Q u a di : a Ge r m a n i c p eople in t h e m o d e rn M o ra v i a . on e t h ou
s a n dt h ye ar : so H i e r o n ym u s on the ye a r of A b ra h am 2 2 62 , the
P h il ip re ign : r e g n a n ti bu s P hi li pp i s m i l l e s i mu s
’
s e co n d of s a u n us

R oma ua e u r bi s e xpl e t u s es t . r e c e i v e d a n n ua l gi f t s : R o m e w a s
w i l li n g t o p a y t h e Go t h s a n d o t h e r iba r b a r i a n t r i b e s s u b s i d i e s

c a l l e d s t i p e u di a , a n d g i v e n a s p a y ; b u t t h e re c e iv e r mi gh t ea s il y
c o m e t o r e g a r d t h e m a s gi v e n fo r t r i bu t e .

90 . t h e s e n a t or D e ci u s : he
. r e i gn e d a s e mp e r o r f r o m 249 -
25 1 .

O s t r og o t h a : s e e g e n e a l o g i c a l c h a r t p 4 1 a n d 1 00 , .
, X V I I 98 -
.

91 T a i f al i : n e i gh bo rs o f t h e Go t h s o n c e s e t t l e d n e a r t h e
.
-
,

D a n u b e i n D a c i a Z e u s s p 433 A s t r i n gi : b e t t e r A s di n g il ; s e e
. . .

X X I I 1 1 3 a n d Z e u s s 46 1 P r o ba b l y n e ig h b or s o f t h e T a i f a l i . .

C a r p i : a p e o p l e o n t h e D a n u b e i n Da c i a Z e u s s p 69 7 Th e y , . .

w e r e s u b du e d by D i o c l e t i a n a n d Gal e r i u s i n 2 9 5 a n d t r a n s p o r t e d
to P a nnonia ( Bu r y I Gal e ri u s
. c o n q u e re d t h e m : se e

O r o s i u s 7 2 5 1 2 : pe r e os de m d u ce s ( D i o c l e t i a n a n d Ga l e r i u s )
, ,

s tr e n u e a dv e r s u s Ca r p o s B a s t er u a s q u e pu g n a t u m es t . P e u c in i :
t h e i n h a b i t a nt o f P e u c e a p i n e c o v e r e d i s l a n d ( pe u c e i r et my
-

s ,
-

p in e -

t ree ) , the de l t a of th e D a n u be . A r ga i t h : s e e S c r i p t o r e s
H i s t o ri a e Au gu s ta e Go r di a ni t r e s ,
-
XX 3 1 I : I m pe r a v i t Go r di a nu s
a r mi s s e x a t q u e du m h a e c a g e r e u t ur A r g u u t S cy th a r u m r e x fin i ti

m o r u m r e g u a v a s ta ba t M u e l l e n h o ff r e g ar d s A rga i t h a s t h e
.

c or r e c t fo r m . Gu n t h e r i c : see T h e Ca m b r i dg e M e di a e v a l H i s
t or y I
, . 2 03 .

92 . M a rc i a n o p l e : in L ow e r Mo e s ia , n ear t he E u xi n e ; the
I OO J OR DA N E S I O RI GI N A ND D EEDS OF T H E G OT H S

ch a pt e r th e a c c ou n t g i v e n by A m m i a n u s 3 1 5 1 5 : d u o bu s n a vi u m , ,

m i l i bu s pe rr u pt o B os por o e t l i t or i bu s P r opo n ti di s S cy tli i c a r u/In

g e n ti u m ca t er v a e t r a n s g r es s a e e di d e r u n t q u i d e m a c e r ba s te r r a ma
r i q u e s tr a g es , s e d a m i s s a s n o r u mp ar t e m a xi m a r e v e r t e r u n t c e ci de ru n t ,

di mi ca n d o c u m ba r ba r i s i mpr a t o r es D e ci i p a t e r e t fili u s
A n c h i a l os ca p ta e t t e m p o r e e o de m Ni c op o l i s q u a m i n di ci u m v i c t o r i a e ,

c o tr a D a c os Tra i a n u s c o n di di t i m p e r a t o r
n i p os t c l a d e s a c c e p t a s i h .

l a ta s q u e m u l t a s e t s a e v a s e x ci s a e s t P hi l i pp o p o l i s c e n t u m h o m i u m n

m i l i bu s ,
ni s i fin g u n t a n na l e s , i n tra m o e n i a i u g u l a ti s a l lie d h im .

s el f to P r i s cu s : the n g o v e r n o r o f Ma c e d o n i a ( L u c i o P r i s c o q u i
Ma c e d o n a s pira e s i da tu r e g e ba t, Au r e l i u s V i ct o r d e Ca e s . 29 ) and

a b ro t h e r of th e late E m p e r o r P h il i p . T his a pp e a r s to be t h e
fi rs t at tem pt on the p art -
of the Go t h s t o c r e a t e a n a n t i e m p e r o r -

( H o dg k i n I I . t h e s on o f D e c i u s : s e e Ca s s i o d o ru s c h r .

a d. a . 2 52 : D ecius cu m fil i o suo i n A br i ti o Th r a c i a e l o c o a Go thi s

o c c i di t u r . He s u b s t i tu t e s th e s e w o r ds fo r t h e f o l l owi n g s en

t e nc e of P ros per: D e ci u s cu m fili o i n A br i t t o , q ua e es t c i vi ta s

My s i a e ,
o c c i di t u r . Ab r i t t u s : o t he r wi s e c a l l e d F o r u m Th e m br o n i i
or Te r e blr o ni i , b ut i t s s ite is un k n o wn . I t w a s p r o ba b l y s o m e
wh e r e i n t h e m a r s h y g r o u n d n ear the m o u th o f t h e Da nu be
( H o dg i n I I k c u t OH . an d s l ai n : H o dg k i n re m a r ks
(I . I .
5 6 ) t h a t t hi s i s o n e o f t h r e e g r e a t d i s a st e r s t h a t f o r e t o l d
the fi n a l o ve r t h r o w o f R o m e Th e o t h e r t w o w e r e t h e d e f ea t .

of V a ru s i n A D . .
9 and th e B a t tl e of H a dr i a n o p l e ,
A D . .
3 78 .

( Se e X XV I
XI X 1 04 .
p l a gu e : see H i e r o n y m us o n t he ye ar of A br ah a m
22 69 : pe s t i l e n s m o r bu s m u l ta s t o t i u s or bi s p r o vi nc as i o c c u pa v i t

m a xi m e q u e A l e x a n dr i a m e t A e gy pt u m ,
ut s c ri bi t D i ony s i u s et Cy
pr i a n i d e m or ta li ta t e t e s ti s e s t l i be r n i n e y e a r s a g o : i n 5 42 On . .

t h e d a t e s e e i n t r o du c t i o n p 1 3
,
F o r a n a c c o u n t o f t h i s p l a gu e
,
. .

s e e B u ry I 3 99 403 D i o n y s i u s : B i s h o p o f A l e x a n dr i a 2 4 8
.
-
.

26 5 E u s eb iu s , h is t e ccl 7, C yp r i a n : Th a s c i u s C a e c i l i u s
'

; se e 22
’
-
r
. . .

C y p r ia n u s ( d . Bis hop of C a r th a g e , w h o w a s m a r t y r e d i n
t h e p e r s e c ut i o n s tarte d by D e c iu s .

1 06 . u n i v e r sa l fav o r : see Oro s iu s 7 , 21, 6 : h ac s o la pe r n i ci e

( t h e p l a g u e ) i n s i g n e s Ga l l u s et Vo l u s i a n u s .

1 07 . R e s pa , V e d u c and Th u r ua r : o t h e r w is e un k n ow n . as

we s ai d b e fo re : in VI I 51 . C o rn el i u s Av i t u s : not the
E m p e r o r A v it u s . Th e E m p e r o r W h o , r e ig n e d 45 5 456 A D -
. . [see
X LV wa s n am e d M a rc u s Ma e c i l iu s Av i t u s th e . ro ya l
cit y:
C o n s t a n ti n o p l e .

X X 1 08 Tro y a n d I l ium :
. J o r da n e s o dd l y ta kes the se as

t he n am e s of t wo d is tin ct c i ti e s an d s peaks o f t hem as

“
re

co v e ri n g a l it t l e
”
( in A D . . 259 i ) fr o m the Tr oj a n W a r !
Th r a c e : i t w i l l b e n ot i c e d t ha t J o r da n e s n am e s th e p l ac e s at
 C OM M E N T A R Y 1 61

tac ke d b y t h e Go th s i n a di ff e r e n t o r de r than Am m ia nu s i n t h e
p as s age c i t e d a bo v e ( n o te on X VI I I
1 09 . An c h i a l i : th e a ut h o rs c ite d in S t e p lh a n u s an d S u i da s
s ay y i n M o e s i a bu t A n c hi a l e i n
it w a s not th is cit

Ci l i c i a t h a t wa s f o u n d e d b y S a r d a n a p a l u s '
.

XXI 1 10 t o a i d t h e R o m an s : a ft e r t h e d i s a s t r o u s c a m p a i g n
.

Ca e s a r M a x i m i a n o f J o r d a n e s )
“
o f 29 6 i n wh i c h Ga le r i u s ( t he
”

w a s th u m b l e d -
on t he ill -

om e ne d fi el d of Ca rr h a e , a c o n s id e r a b l e

nu m ber of Go t h i c a u xi l i a ri e s w a s t a ke n i n t o t h e Ro m a n fo rc e s ,

and t he I m p e ri a l a rm i e s a ga in i
m arch e d -
a ga i n s t N a rs e s of P e rs i a .

wh e t h e r m a in l y J o r da n e s ys
“
This t im e, by th e ir a i d,
”
as sa ,

or n ot , the R om ans we re v i c t o r i ou s [ G i b b n I 3 70
' o '
. .

Na r s e u s : Nars e s S a p o r t h e Gr e a t :
’
B u ry
v
s ed . of l or .

t his w as t h e P e r si a n ki ng who ca p tu re d t he E m p e ro r V a le ri a n
in 2 60 a n d kep t him
. p ri s o n e r u n til h i s de a th i n 26 5 . Ach i l l e s :
or A c h il l e u s
‘
-

( 29 2 he
'

a ro s e as a u sur p er in A l e x a n dr i a .

Ma xi m i a nu s p e r o r Ma x i m i a n t h e c o l
H e rcu l i u s : th is i s t h e E m ,

l e a g u e o f D i o c l e t ia n Q u i n q u e ge n t i an i : a c o n f e d e r a t i o n o f
-
.

fi v e M o o r i s h n a t i o n s i n v a de d t h e p e a c e fu l p r o v i n c e s O f A f r i c a [

i n 2 9 6 2 97 W it h t h i s l a s t s e ct i o n c o m p a r e O r o s i u s 7 2 5 :
, .
- '
,

r e be l l a n t e A c hi ll e o i n A e gy pt o c u m et Afr i ca m Q u i n q u ege n
ti a n i i n fes t a r e n t Na r s e u s e t i a m r e x P
, e r s ar u m Or i e n t e m be l l o
pr e m e r e t M a xi m i a n u s A u g u s tu s Q u i n q u e g e n ti a n os i n Afr i ca
d o m u i t p or r o a u t e m D i o c l e t i a n u s A c h i ll e u m
,
ap ud A l e xa n
dr i a m c e p i t e t i n t e r fe ci t Ga l e r i u s M a xi m i a n u s i) e r I l ly
ri c u m et Moes i a m u n di gn e co pias c o n tr ar it N ar s e u m n zag n i s

c o n s i li i s v i r i bu s qu e su pe r a vi t ca s tr a eius i nv as i t ,
u x or e s s or o

r es l i be r o s q u e ce pit ,
i mm e ns a m vi m gaz a e P e rs i c a e di r ipu i t .

1 1 1 . Li ci n iu s : h e h a d be e n '

e l e va te d to the ra n k of Au gu s t u s
by the E m p e r o r Ga l e r i u s i n ppa r e n t l y w i th o u t pa s s i n g
'

30 7 , a

t h r o ug h t h e i n t e r m e d ia te r an k of Ca e s a r . The fi rs t q u arr e l be
t w e e n C o n s t a nt i n e and L ic in iu s —

th en r e s p e c t iv e l y m a s t e r s o f t h e

W e s t a n d t h e E a st —
o c c u rre d in 3 14 T h e s e c o n d ci v i l wa r i n
.
,

3 23 wa s b r o u g h t t o
,
a cl o s e by t h e i m p r i s o n m e n t a n d d e a th o f
L icinu s . By t h is v ictor y t he R o m a n w o rl d wa s
. a ga i n u n ite d

u n de r the a ut h o ri t y of o ne em p e ro r .

1 12 . th e f a m ou s c i t y : t h e p a r t J o rda n e s pp o s e s t h e Go t h s
su

to ha v e p l a ye d i n t h e f o u n d i n g of C o n s t a n t i n o p l e is n o t v e r y
c l e a r, even to our au tho r h im s el f . A ri a r i c an d A o ri c : C o n
s ta n t i n e , i n t e rv e n i n g i n s om e q uarre l b e tw e e n t h e Go t h s and

S a r m a t i a n s , t o o k p a r t w it h t h e l a tt e r , a n d t h e s o n o f A ri a r i c wa s
a m o n g t h e h o s t ag e s g iv e n b y t h e IGo t h s u p o n t h e i r de f e a t See .

A n o n y m o u s V a l e s i a n u s 3 1 : ( C o ns t a nt i ne ) a dv e rs u m Go t h o s be l
lum s u s c e pi t e t i m pl or a n ti bu s S a r m a t i s a u xi l i u m t u l i t : i ta pe r C on
s ta n ti n u m Ca e s ar e m c p r o/9e m i l ia fa m e et fr i g or e e x ti n c ta s unt:
 1 62 J OR DA N E S Z O R I G I N AN D DEED S OF T H E G OT H S
tu n e et a bs i d e s a c ce pi t i n t e r q u o s
,
et A r i a r i ci r e gi s fili u m . Ge b e
ri c h : Ge b e r i c ( H o dg k i n I I
or Th e r e i g n o f Ge b e r i c h a c .
,

c o r d i n g t o Gu t s c h m i d i s t o b e da t e d 3 1 8 3 50 -

.
,

X X I I 1 1 3 V i s i m a r : a V a n d al k i n g o v e r t h e S a r m a ti a n s ? S e e
.
l '

Gi b b o n I I 2 1 7 A s d i n gi : s e e n o t e o n X I V 9 1 u n d e r A s tr i ngi
. .

D e x i p p u s ( i n i n 2 4 3 p 68 5 M ue l l ) t e l l s o f t h e v i c t o r y o f ,
-
. .

Au r e l i a n over t h e Va n da l s and o f t h eir re t u rn t o t h e c o u n t ri e s

beyon d th e D an u b e a ftt e r p e a ce wa s m a de . Ma ri s i a : see

S t r a b o 7 , 3 1 3 p 3 0 5 ; [36 ? 5e 63 mi n ? » Mdpwo s
, ,
4 6$ s i s 7
fl or a / 61/ Aa vo zfico v

M i l i a r e , Gi l p i l : n o t m e n t i o n e d e l s e w h e r e . Gri s i a : a ri v e r of

H u n ga ry . S e e C o n s t a n t i n u s P o rp h y r o g e n . de a dm . mm40 : .
be i .

'
r ér a pr os 6 Kpta os ,
— '

and Zeuss p ,
44 7 ,

1 1 4 . H e r m u n du l i , o r H e r m u n du r i : ‘

a Ge r m a n i c p e op l e on th e
E lbe , n e i gh bors of the Ch a t t i
'
.

5 1 1 . P a n n o n ia : the
'
ex pulsion of the Va n da l s ( o r S a rm a
t ia n s ? Gi b b o n II . 2 19 ) an d t h e i r re c e p tio n b y C o n s lt a n t i n e i n t o -
-

P an n o n ia o c cu r re d in th e ye ar 3 34 . A l on g ti m e a f t e rw a r d : s ee

O r o s i u s 7 , 3 8 : S t i li c o g e n te s A l a n o r u m S u e bo r u m Va n da
B m g u n di o n u m r i p a s R h e m q u a t e 'r e e t p u l s a r e Ga l
’

l or u m ’

lias v olm t
'

X X I I I n 6 H e rm a n a ri c : o r H e r m a n r i c t h e O s t r og o t h T h e
.
-

, .

da t e i s abo u t 351
-

3 76 a c c o rd i ng to Gu t s c h m i d . Mo s t of th e s e
th irt e e n n o r t h e r n: t r i b e s , wh i c h J or da n es sa ys w e re c o nqu e re d

by t hi s s e cond A l e x a n de r , cann o t n ow b e i d e n t i fi e d w it h a ny

c e r ta in t y .

1 1 7 . H e ru l i : see E ty m o l ogi c u m m a g n u m p 3 3 2 Ga i s f o r d : 0177 3 .

"

6V éKEtOG ék cbv E h o vpm Kéxk nvr a t AéEwr rr os é u 6w5 e xoi r cp Xpo mtccbv
’ ’
’

7
' '
. . .

A l s o S t e p ha n u s B yz a nt i u m
" ’

of s v . . : E kovpm v flucbv éfiuos , 7r€

pl
Aé£u r 1ros év Xpo uucé w LB
’
Al a r i c : t h i s c h ie f of t he H e ru l i m u s t
‘

. not

be con use f d w i t h A l a ri c , K i n g -
of th e S u av i , m e n t i o n e d i n L I V 27 7

or with t h e kings of th e V i s igo th s n am e d Al a r i c . h e l é : 3M .

1 1 9 . V e n e th i : or V e n e t i ; bu t ne e n o te on V 34 ; W e n ds . Th ey
dw e l t i n t h e r eg i o n t ha t i s n ow P ol and . we s t a rt e d t o s ay : in
V 34 . An t e s , S c l av e n i : th e H e ru l i l iv e d in the s wa m py
r e gi o n s near th e Sea of A z o v ; t h e p a r e n t st o c k o f t h e V e n e t i
.

( W e n ds ) s c a t t e re d in v a r i o u s di r e c t i o n s , t h e S c l a v e n ti g o i n g t o '

th e u pp e r wa t e r s of t he Dnies ter -

and V i s t u l a, t h e An t e s '
al o ng

t he E uxi n e fr o m t he D n ie s te r t o t h e
'
Dniepe r .
( H o dg k i n I .

I
1 20 . Ae s t i : a Ge r m a n i c p e o pl e n e ar the B al ti c ; l -

see T ac i t us ,

Ge r m a n i a 4 5 .

XXIV 1 21 . Oros ius rel ate s : g e ns H u nno m m di u i n a c e s s i s s e

clus a m o n ti bu s ,
re pe n ti n a r a bi e p ar c i ta e x a r s i t i n Go t h os e os q u e

pas s i m c o n tu r ba t os a b a n t i q u i s s e di bu s ex pu l i t ( 7 3 3 , ,
Io ) . Fi l im e r :
see IV 26 .
1 64 J OR D A N ES : O R I G I N AN D DE EDS OF T H E G OT H S

1 30 . B al a mber : the e a r l i e st ki n g of the Huns of w h om t h e re is

m e ntion in J o r da n e s . See a l so X LV I I I 2 4 8, 2 49 . th e
Huns p r e v ai l : the de a t h of H e rm a n a ri c an d the o v e rth row

of O s t r o g o t h i c E m pi r e b y t h e H u n s h a d p r o ba bl y t a k e n
t he '

p l a c e b y 3 7 5 A c c o r d i n g t o A m m i a nu s 3 1 3 H e r m a n a r i c c o m
.
,

m i t t e d s u i c i d e : m a g n o r u m di s cr i m i m t m m e t u m v o l u n ta r i a m or t e
s e da m t As H o dg k i n ys ( I I th e i nc l i n a t i o n of th e
’

. sa .

Ge r m a n c rit i c s is t o s p re ad th e H u mt e n e i n
'

fa l l ov e r fiv e ye ars :
3 72, at ta c k u pon the A l a n i ; 3 74 3 7 5 -

, o v e rt h ro w of th e O st r o
gotbs ; 3 7 5 3 7 6, d e f e a t s o f A t h a na r i c
‘
- — -
.

X X V 1 3 1 R o m an i a : . or R o m a n l a n d, -
a l at e n am e fo r the
R o ma n E mp i r e as co n tra s t ed wi t h Go th i a . J o r da n e s use s the

te rm s e v e ra l tim e s : see R oma no 24 7 , 2 7 5, 3 13 ; Ge ti ca L 2 66 .

th e y w oul d s u bm i t : m p a r e Am m i a nu s 3 1 , 4 1 : ( t h e Go t h s )
co ,

ri pa s o c c u pa v e r e D a m n/i i mi s s i s q u e o r a t o r i bu s a d V a l e n t e m s u s ci pi
h u m i l i pr e c e pos c e ba n t et q u i e te v i c tu r os s e p o l l i c e n t e s e t d o t a r os
'

se , ,

s i r e s fla g i t a s s e t a u x i l i a , .
p rom i s e d t o b e c o m e Ch r i s t i a n s : O r o
s iu s (7 , 33, 19 ) s p eaks o f th e i r a c c e p ta n c e o f C h r i s t i a ni t y :
Go th z par l e g a t o s s u pp l i c e s popos c e r m zt u t i l l i s e p i s c o p i , a
’

a n te a ,

q u i bu s r eg u l a m C h r i s t i a na e fide i di s c e t e n t m i t t e r e n tu r Va l e n s '

,
.

im p e r a t or e x i ti a bi li pr v i ta t e d oc t or e s s a i dog m a ti c m i s i t a
'

n .

Go t h i p r i m a e fide i m di m e t u m q u o d a c c e pe r e t e tm e r t Se e a lso n un .

I s i d o u s hi s t Go th a d e r a m 4 1 5 : A ta n d r i c u s F r i di g e mm m Va l e n ti s
r . .

fi r a gi o m pe r a n s h u i u s cu m m a tt e r i
‘
i m pe r a t or i s su . r ei g r a ti a l e g a t o :
bu s a d e u n de m i m pe r a t or e m m i tti t et d o c t or e s p r op t er s u s c i pi e n da m

Ch r i s ti a n a e fid e i r eg u l a m por c i t Va l e n s a u te m a v e r i ta t e fide i d e w u s
'

e t A r r i a n a e h a e r es i s pe r v e r s i t a te d e t e n t u s m i s s i s h a e r e ti c i s s a c e r d o

ti ba s Go t h o s p e r s u as i o ne ne fa n da s ui e rr ori s d og m a t i a dg r e ga m t
’

et i n ta m pr ae c l a r a m g e n te m v ir u s pe s ti fe r u m s emi n e p e r n i c i os o
t r a ns fu di t .

1 32 . i n t e n de d t o a sk : V a l e n s w a s b y no m e a n s s o r e a d y a n d
wil l ing to re c e iv e t his b a r b a r i a n h o r d e a s J o r da n e s a s s u m e s .

T h is was i n fa c t o ne o f t h e gre a t c ri s e s o f th e e m p i r e, an d
b et t e r t at esm en t ha V a l e n s m i g h t w e l l h a v e h e si t a t e d b e f o r e
‘

s -
n

d e c i di n g m om e n to u s q u e s ti o n E u n ap i u s ( H i s t or i c i Gra e c z
'

so a
‘
{
.

M i n o r e s ( D i n d orf) p . 23 7 , sa ys t h e re w e re m en of figh t
i ng a ge b e s i de s
u o l d m e n, wo m en a nd c h i l dr e n wh o cros s e d the
Danu be ( H o d g ki n I I . . A ri a n p e rfi dy : see H o dg k i n .

Th e A r i a n s ec t, n am e d fr o m A r i u s , d iff e r e d fro m the g e n e ra l

b o dy of the c h u rc h in b e l ie v i n g th a t t h e S o n o f Go d, t h o u g h
di v i n e , w a s a create d be i ng . A t h a n a si u s , i n pp o s i t i o n t o A r i u s o ,

wa s t h e ch am p ion of what c am e t o b e a u t h o r i t a t i v e l y a do p t e d a s
th e o r t ho d o x b e lli e f r e g a r di n g t h e T r i n i t y by t h e C o u n c i l o f
N ica ea i n 3 25 U l fi l a s w a s a n A r i a n b e c a u s e w h i l e hi s t h e o
.

lo g i c a l i d ea s w e r e b e i n g f o r m e d, A r i a n i s m o f o n e ‘ i n d o r -
k
 C OM M E N T A R Y I 65

a n o th e r —
fo r th e re w er e m an y v a r i et i e s — a
wa s o r t h o do x y at

C o n s t a n lt i n Op l e , an d A t h a n a s i u s wa s d e n o u nc e d t h e r e a s
-

a da n
g e r o n s Ih e r e t i c -
. U l fi l a s p r o f e s s e d th e f o r m o f A r i a ni s m k no w n
“
as H om oion : -

Th e S o n i s l i k e u n to th e Fa t h e r i n su ch manne r
as the s cri pt u r e s d e c la r e .
”
Thi s then wa s th e f o rm of Ch r i s
t ia n i h e t a u ght , a nd w h ic h t h e Go t h s , V a n da l s , B u r g u n d i a n s
and S uav i a cc e p te d . T h i s a l s o w a s t h e c r e e d o f th e E m p e r o r
.

Va l e n s . I n l a t e r t im es T h eo d o r i c th e Gr e at w a s h i m s e l f un

s ha
'
ke n i n t h e Ar i a n i s m w h i c h h ad be e n t h e
. fa i t h of his fo re
f at h e r s , bu t h e ru l e d w it h i m p a r t ia l i t y over a p e op l e t he m aj o ri ty
of w h o m w e re o r t h o do x . Mo m m sen sa ys ( I n t r o X L I I I ) . that
J o r d a ne s di d not fi n d in th e o ri g in a l of h i s Ge ti c a t h a t s ha r p
de n u n c i a t i o n of A r i a n i s m i n wh i c h h e d e l i g h t s '
(s ee al s o XXVI
'

fo r Ca s s i o do r u s , t h o u gh o r t h o do x h i m s e l f, w a s m i n d fu l
of the Ar i a n c o n v i c t io n s of h i s ma s t e r s . E b e rt ( Ge s c hi c h t e d e r
c h r i s t l ic lh l a t e i n i s c hen L i t e r a tu r L ei pz ig ,
1 87 4 p .
53 1 n 2 ) b e li e v e s
.
'

t h at J o r da n e s i n t e n s e d i s l i k e o f A r i a n i s m i s b e s t e x p l a i n e d b y
’

t h e t h e o r y t h at h e a t fi r s t h e l d t h i s b e l i e f h i m s e l f a n d w a s l a t e r
c o n v e r t e d t o t h e o r t h o do x p a r t y S e e i n t r o du c t i o n p 5 . . .

1 33 . cro s se d th e D a n ub e : t hi s wa s i n 3 76 Am m ia nu s .
(3 1 ,

4, I , q uo t e d un de r 131 a bo v e ) also t e l l s o f t h e i r e m ba s s y .

X XV I 1 34 . F ri t i ge rn , Al a t h e u s and S a fr a c : s ee Am m i a n u s
3 1 , 4, 8 : p ri m us cu m A lav i o o s t t s ci pi tu r F r i ti g e r n u s c .
4, 12 : Vi t h e
r i ca s Gr e u t h t m g o t m rt S a fr a c e q u o r u m a r bi tr i o
’

Ir or cu m A l a th e o et

r e g e ba t u r ut s i m i li ,
s u s c l pe r e t u r h u m a n i t a t e o bs e c r a v i t
c 5 , 3 : Glr e u t h l n gl r a ti bu s tr a n s i e r e L u p i c i n u s a n d Ma xi .

m u s : L u p i c i n u s w a s C o u n t o f T h r a c e , a n d Ma x i m u s p r o b a bl y
'

D u ke of M o e s i a ( H o dg k i n I I . curs e d l u s t fo r g o l d
a r e m in i s ce n ce o f V e rg i l s a u r i s a er a fa m e s A e n 3 5 7
’

,
.
, .

35 1 d e m an d e d t h e i r s o n s :
. A m m i a n u s ( 3 1 4 9 ) li k e w i s e , . re

c o r d s t h e i nih u m a n c o n d uc t o f t h e s e R o m a n c o m m a n de r s : p o t e s ta
ti ba s pr a efu e r e c a s tr e n s i bu s h o mi n e s m a c u l os i q u i bt t s L u pi ci n u s
a n t es ta ba t e t M a xl m u s ,
a l te r pe r Th ra c i a s c om es , du x a l te r . c .
4, 1 1

t i no ia p pe c o m m e r ci u m
'

cu m tr a du c tz ha r bo r v i c tu s
'

v e x a r e n tu r , tu r

[ e x ] c ogi talr t m t m di q u e i n s a ti a bt l zta s

' '

du c e s i n v i s i s s i m i et q u a n t os t

c o l li g e r e p o tu i t pr o s l rzg u l i s d e d e r t m t rl t a tzc i pl i s : i n te r q u a e
'

ca n es

[ e t fi li i ] du e tt su m opti m a ti u m .

I 37 . A m m i a nu s ( 3 1 , 5 5 ) g i v e s t h e fo l l o w i n g a o
too k a rm s : ,

c o u n t o f t h e b a n q u e t a n d i t s c o n s e q u e n c e s : A l a w v o e t F r i ti g e r n o
'

a d c o n vi v i u m c o n r oga tt s L u pi ci n us 6 da m i n n e po t a l i m e n s a
'

l u di c r i s c o n cr e pa n ti bu s di t t di s cu m be ns v i n o m a r c e ba t e t s o m n o,
s a t e lli te s om n es q u i pr a e t or i o h o n o r i s e t t u t e l a e ca u s a du c es
,

pr a e s t o l a ba n t u r o c c i di t , .
7 : h o e ga e o u lus qu i p p m u r os o bs i d e ba t

dol e n te r a c c e pt o ad v i n di c ta m de te n t o r u m r egu m m u l ta
mi n a ba tu r e t s a ev a . a tq u e er a t F r i ti g e r m l s e xpe di ti c ons i l i i , v e r i tu s
1 66 J OR D AN ES : O RI GI N A ND DE EDS OF T H E G OT H S

rt e t e u e r e tu r pu g u a rt du m
o bs i di s v i c e c u m c e t er i s , e x c l a ma vi t g r avi or e
e x i ti o i i i i p s e a d l e n i e n du m v u l g u s s i rt e r e t u r e xi r e c u m s o ci i s , q u o d
,

a r bi tt a t u m h u m a n i t a t i s s p e ci e du c t onr e s s u os o c c i s o s i n t u m u l t u m
’

e xa r s i t . h o c q u e i n pe tr a t o e gr e s s i omnes e x c e pti q u e m pl a u su e t
cu

g a u di i s as ce ns i s e qui s ev o l a r u n t m o tu r i i n ci ta m e n to di v e r s or u m
be l l ozr u m . as s t r a n ge r s an d p il gr i m s : c o m pa r e t h e ut a dv e n a e

et pe t e gr i u i o f J o r da n e s a dv e ri a s et w it h t h e V u l ga t e t a u q u a m
’

p e r e gr i n o s , I P et r 2 , 1 1 ; q u a s i a do e ua m e t pe r egr i rtu m, L e v i t 2 5
. . .
,

35 ; a l s o G e n 2 3 , 4 , Nu m 9 ,
I 4 ,
L e v i t 2
. 5 4 7 T h e re s e em s to . .
, .

be a li k e B i bl i c a l r e m i n i s ce n c e i n Ge ti ca LI V 2 7 9 th e .

Go t h s b e g a n t o r u l e : t h e i r p o w e r wa s a c t u a l l y u s e d o n l y
to . p l u n de r a nd d e st r o y I n n oc e n t
. s ub e cts j of t h e E m i r e w e re p
t h u s t h eir v i ctim s .
( Gi bb o n I I I -

1 38 . set out fo r Th race : seeAm m ian u s 3 1 1 1 ,

'

,
1 : Va l e ns
ta n d e m e x ci tu s A n ti o c hi a v e rt i t Co n s ta n ti ti opo l i m . H a dr i
a n oip l e : A m m i a n u s 3 1 , 1 2 1 0 : s i g ma c o m m o v e u tu r i mp e di
m e n ti s et s a r ci n i s p r op e H a dr i a n opol e os m u r os c o n l o c a ti s .

em p ero r l a y h i dd e n i s t o l d b y V i c to r e i t 4 6 :
: the s am e s to r y p .

hi e Va l e rt s c u m C a t hi s l a cr i m a bi l i be l l o c o m m i s s o s a gi t ti s s a u c i u s
in c as a d e po r ta t u r v i l i s s i ma u bi s u pe r v e u i e u ti bu s C a th i s i g u e q u e ,

su pp os i t o i n c e n di o c on c r e m a t u s es t .
'

See al s o H i e r o n ym u s on th e
ye a r of Ab r a h a m 23 9 5 ; Or o s iu s 7 , 33, 1 5 . Th e fo l l o wi n g ac

c o u nt i s g i v e n b y Am m i a n u s 3 1 , I 3 1 2 : i mpe r a t olr ,
s a gi t ta

p e r n i ci os e s a u c i u s r u i t 1 4 : di c u u t Va l e n t e m cu m ca n d i da ti s

et pa d o n i bu s p a u ci s p r o p e a d a gr es t e m ca s a m r e l a tu m
s ci r

c u m s e s s u m a b h os ti bu s q u i e s s e t i g n o r a n ti bu s d e d e c o r e c a pti vi ta t i s
, ,

e x e m pt u m . j u d gm e n t of Go d : t hus it se eme d t o O r o si u s also

(7 , 33, i t a q u e i u s t o i u di c i o d e i i ps i eum vi vu m i rt c e u d e r i m t
l
,

qui p r o p te r e u m e ti a m m o r tu i v i ti o e r r o r i s a r s u r i s u n t . See I s i do ru s
hi s t . Go t /
i . a d e ram 416 t h e i r gl o r i o u s v i c t o r y : Am m i a n u s ( 3 1 ,
.

1 3, 9) s ays 1 o f th i s R o m a n di s a s t e r : u e c u l l a a n n a l i bu s pira e t e r

Ca r me n s e m p u g na m i ta ad i rt t e r u e ci o rt e m r es l e g i tu r g e s ta , q u a m
q u a m R o m a ni a l i q u o ti e m re fla n te F or tu rta fa l l a c i i s l u s i be l l or u m
i n i q u i t a ti c es s e r u n t a d tem pus , e t c e r ta m i u a m u l ta fa bu l os a e na eu i a e

fle o e r e Gr a e c or u m .

X XV I I h is un c l e : G r a t i a n wa s the of V al e n tin ian I

'

1 39 . s on ,

a n d ne p h ew o f V al e ns .

X X VI I I 1 42 K i n g A t h a na r i c : o r A it h a n a r i c .
'

. An ol d en em y
o f Fr i t i g e r n t h i s C h ie ft a i n h a d dw e l t s e c u r e i n t h e
, m o u nt a i n s and

fo r e s t s of Ca u c a l a n d i n s D ac i a un t i l dr i v e n o ut by Ala t h e u s and

S a tr a e .
( S e e Am m i a n u s 27 , 5, 10: A t h a n a r i c u s pr o x i m o r u m fa c
ti o n e g e n/i t a l i bu s t e r ri s ex pu l s u s ) . H e t h e n fl e d fo r r e f u g e t o
Th e o do si u s .
( H o dg k i n I I
.

1 44 . de pa r t e d th i s li fe : se e Ca s s i o do r u s on t he year 3 82 :
A th a nar i c u s -

r ex Go th or u m Co ns ta n ti u opo li m i bi q u e vi ta m e x e gi t .
I 68 J OR DA N E s : OR I GI N A N D D E E Ds OF T H E G OT H S
O

F o s sa As c on i s : see Agn e l l u s li b . e ccl . R av .

70 ; al s o 79 : in
l o c o q u i d i c i t u r F o s s a S c o n i i i u r ta F l u v i u m .

1 50 E ri d an u s : It h e p oe t i ca l n a m e o f t h e PO See V e rg il
'

. .
,

Ge o r g i c s 4 3 7 2 ,
. t u rn e d a s i d e b y A u gu s t u s : h e h a d m a d e
R av e n na h is na v a l s t at i o n fo r th e A d r i a t i c . Di o re l at e s : th e
p a s s a ge is l o st .

1 51 . F a bi u s sa ys : a w r it e r n ot m ention e d e l s ew h e r e Mo m m .

sen cu rtl y O bs e r v e s : qui nam fu e r i t n e s ci o ( I n t r o . XXX III) .

XXX 1 52 . e mba s s y to H o n o ri u s : t h e s t o r y of th e s ie ge

Of Rav e nna re s ts on the a u t h o ri t y Of J o r da n e s al on e . H is

Al ari c m o v e m e nt s i n It a l y i s y m u ch
’
wh o l e ac c o u n t of
'
s v er

f
con us e d ( H o dg k i n I II . .

1 53 . invas ionG a i s e ri c : t h e V a nd a l s to g e th e r w i th t h e
of

S ua v i a n d A l a n i e n t e r e d Ga u l i n 406 a n d t h r e e y e a r s l at e r th e y ,

p o u r e d i n t o S p a i n t h r ou g h t h e p a s s e s o f t h e P y r e n e e s I n .

S p a i n t h e r e w a s s e v e r e w a r fa r e fo r m a n y y e a r s Ga i s e r i c b e .

c am e ki n g Of t h e Va n da l s u p on th e de a t h of t his fa t h e r Gu n d e r i c
i n 42 7 .

54
1 P o l l e nt i a : th e m o d e r n P o l l e n z a , n e a r T u r i n
. Th e b a t t l e .

o f P ol l e ntia w a s f o u g h t o n E a s t e r S u n da y , A p r i l 6 , 402 , a n d
A la r i c w a s a tta c k e d wh il e h e was a tt e n di n g t h e -
s e rv i c e Of the
day . H o dg k i n (I II. by a c uriou s s li p ,
p lace s bo t h
E a st er S u n da y a nd Go o d F r i da y i n the ye a r 402 o n t he 6t h of

Ap ri l . See B u ry I 1 09 ; Ca m b r i d g e M e di e v a l H is to ry 2 65

and 4 60 .

1 55 . alm os t e xt e r m i n a t e d i t : t h a t th e du b i o u s b a t t l e o f P ol
l e n ti a w a s a Go t h i c v i ct o r y i s a s s e rt e d al s o by
. C a s s i o do ru s on

the year 4 02 : P o l l e n ti a e S ti l i c on e m cu m e x e r ci t u R o ma n o Go t hi
v i c t u m a ci e fu g a v e r u n t . P r o s p e r m e re l y sa ys : P o l l e n t i a e a dv e r s u s

Go th o s v e h e m en te r u tr u s q u e i p a r ti s c l a de pu g n a t n m es t . Or o s iu s
sa ys of this ba t t l e (7 , 3 7, t a c e o d e i nfe l i ci bu s i l l i s a pud P ollen
t i a m g e s ti s , cu m ba r ba r o p ag a n o d ci
et c u i u s i pr o bi ta ti
u n r eve

r e n ti s s i m i di e s et sa n c tu m p a s ch a v i o l a tu m es t c e de n ti q e u h os ti
p r o p te r r e lig i o n e m , ut p g n a r e i e x t o tu m es t ;
u , pu g a t e s
r n n v i ci

m us ,
o i c t or e s vi cti s u mus . r e t u r n e d a gai n t o L i gu r i a : P o l l e n t ia

i s i n Li g u r i a Al a ri c .
’
s m a r c h t ow a r d R o m e t o o k place in the
y e a r 408 S e e B u r y . I 1 1 5 .

56
1 fi n al l y e n t e r e d R o m e : a f t e r hi s t h i r d a n d fi n a l s i e g e
.

O f R o m e i n 4 1 0 A l a r i c s ac e d t he c i t y Th e fi r s t s i e g e o c c u r r e d k .

i n 408 t h e s e c o n d i n 4 09
, S e e B ury 121 ; . I H o dg k i n I II
.
7 66
8 1 0 ; Ca m b r i dg e M e di e v a l H i s t o r y 2 7 0 2 7 4 -
. m e rel y s ac k ed it :

see Ca s s i o do ru s on th e year 410 . To P r o s p e r ’

s w o r ds : R om a
-

a Go t h i s H a l a r i c o d u c e p ta h e
ca ,
a dds : u bi c l e m e n t e r u s i v i c t o r i a s u n t .

Al s o var . 1 2, 20 : exe m p l u m i n h i s t or i a n os tra m a g n a i n te n

ti o n e r e t tu l i m u s . nam cu m r ex A l a r i cu s u r bi s R o m a e d e pra e da t i o n e
 C O M M E N TA R Y 1 69

s a ti a tu s a p os t o l i '

P e tr i vas a s uis d e flerr e n ti bu s e x c e pi s s e t, m ax ut

r ei ca u s a m h a bi ta i n t e r r o g a ti on e c og n ov i t, s a cr i s l i m i n i bu s d e po r t a r i
di r i pi e n ti u m m a ni bu s i m pe r a vi t ,
ut c u pi di t a s , q u a e d e pr a e da ti o n i s
a m bi t u a dm i s e ra t s ce l u s , d e v o ti o n e l a r gi s s i m o d e l er e t e xc es s u m .

A d O r o s i u s 7 , 3 9 1 5 : t e t ti a d i e ba r ba r i q u a m i n g r es s i u lr be m
nl ,
’

fu er a n t s p o n t e d i s c e du n t fa c t o q u i d e m a l i q u a n ta r u m a e di u m i n c e n
di o s e d n e t a n t o q u i d e m q u a n t o s e pti n g e n t e s i m o c o n di ti o n i s e i u s
, ,

a nn o ca s u s e fl e c era t . See Oro s iu s 7 ,

a l so 1 a n d Au gu s t i n e ,

D e Ci v i ta te D e i 1, 1 . B ru t t i i : t h e m o d e r n Ca l a b r i a A d r i a ti c .

Se a : h e re as in LX 3 08 a n d R o ma n o I 5 1 J o r d a n e s i s r e f e r r i n g
t o the I onian Sea; he also r e fe r s -
t o th e M e di t e r r a n e a n as the
Ad r ia t i c ( s e e R om a no 2 23 : R o du s t o ti u s A tr i a e i ns u la r u m
m e tr o p o l i s ) .

1 57 . s un k s e v e r al of hi s shi ps : see O r o s i u s 7 43 , ,
12 ( q uo t e d
b el ow in note on XXXIII I 73 ) .

1 58 . B us en tus : a l it t l e riv e r n ow c a ll e d t h e Bus e nt o , wh i ch

fl o ws aro u n d C o s e n z a ( Co ns e n ti a ) , wh e r e A l a r i c d i e d
‘

. Ath a
v ul f: A t a u l fu s ; th e w a s A l a r i c s ab r o th e r i n la w
’
or .
- -
.

XXXI 1 59 . re turn e d a ga i n to Rome : a do u b t f u l s t at e m e n t .

W h at Or o s iu s (7 , 43 , 3 ) sa ys of A th av ul f s e em s t o di s prov e it :
is, ut s ae pe a u di t u m a tq u e u l ti mo e xi tu ei us p r o ba tu m e s t s a ti s ,

s t u di os e s e c ta t or p a ci s m i l i ta r e fide l i t e r H on or i o i m p e ra t o r i a c
pr o d efe n d e n da R o m a n o re p u bl i ca i n pe n de r e vi r es Go t h o r u m pr a e op
ta v i t . See r B u ry
-
I 137 ; Ca m b r i d g e M e di e va l H i s t o ry 274
an d 3 99 . P l a c i d i a : Ga l l a P la c i d i a w a s t h e da u g h t e r O f T h e o
do s iu s I and the E m p re s s Ga l l a , a nd g ra n dd au g h t e r Of

V al e n t in i an I .

1 60 . F oru m Julii : as Mom ms e n p o in t s o ut J o r da n e s i s h e r e i n

,

e rr o r e i th e r w it h re ga rd t o th e re gi o n or t h e ci t y I n Ae m il ia .
r

th e re is a F orum i '

v ii ; a Fo r u m J ul i i i s fo u n d b o t h i n V e n e t ia
and i n Ga l l i a Na r b o ne n s i s
n . Bu t we l e a rn f r o m o t h e r a u t h o rs

( O l y m p i o d o ru s fr . 24 ; I da t i u s
- -
p
8 R o n c ) t h at t h e m a r ri a g e
. 1 .

too k p lace at N arbo n n e . Se e B u r y I 1 4 7 ; C am b r i d g e M e di e v a l

H is to ry 4 02 . T h e n Ath a v u l f set out fo r Ga u l : J o r dan e s h a s
the o r de r of fa c t s re v e rs e d I t wa s i n 4 1 2 t h a t
.
'
h e l e ft I ta l y ,

n ev er to re tu rn . Th e w e d d i n g o f A t h a v u l f a n d P l ac i d i a t oo k
place at Na r b o n ne i n 414 .
( H o dg k i n I I I 8 29
.
,

1 61 . We h ave s ai d b e fore : s ee XXII 1 15 . cro s s e d ov er

i n t o Ga u l : see I s i do r u s '
Go t h . l a u d 68 .
( w h i c h Mo m m s e n th in ks
i s t ak en f ro m Ca s s i o do ru s ) : Wa n da l i c a et i psa c r e br o o pi n a ta

ba r ba r i e s n on ta n tu m p r a e s e n ti a e or u m ( t h e Go t h s ) e x t e r r i ta q ua m
op i n i o n e fu g a ta es t .

1 62 . i n S p a in : t h e i n va s ion S p a i n b y t h e V a n da l s a n d t h e
of

Al a n i d i n 409
o c cu rre Se e . n ote on XX X 1 53 Al s o B u ry I .

1 4 2 ; Ca m b r i dg e M e d i e v a l Hi s t o r y 2 74 a n d 3 04 . Ge b e r i c h : see

XX I I 1 1 3 a n d f ol l o w i n g .
I 7O J OR DA N E S I O RI GI N A ND DEEDS OF T H E G OT H S

1 63 . he fel l : Athav ul f w as a s sa s s i n a t e d in 415 . Tw o

ye a rs l at er hi s w i d o w , Ga l l a P l a c i dia , m ar ri e d C o n s t a nt i u s III
and b o re him a s on who ru l e d l ate r as V a l e n ti n i a n III ( 425
E u e rv u l f: O l y m p i o do r u s f r a g 26 n a m e s . a c e rt ai n D u'b i u s as his
s l a y e r ; h e s a y s (i x ( At h a v u l f) s i s 651/ i I ér fiwv A065 0”
’ ‘
/c u s ? a trr dv 7 a i ms
,
p
To flvoua éxflpa v wa k a cd v
’
bvk a
Ka Lpo g mfia a s , S ee H o dg k i n I II. 83 4 n . I .

S e ge ri c : or S in ge ri c '
S e e O r o s i u s 7 4 3 , 9 : S e g er i c u s r e x a Go th i s
.
,

cr e a ms a s uis i n t e r fe c ta s e s t H e re ign e d o n l y a we e k .See .

H o dg k i n ,
Th e
'
D ynas ty o f Th e o d o s i u s 1 7 5, a n d B u ry 1 49 I .

XXXII 1 64 . V al i a or W al l ia
l '

,
the f o u n d e r o f t he V i s i g o t h i c '

k i n g do m , w it h i t s ca p i t al at To l o s a . He re c e iv e d a g ra n t in
s o u t h e rn Ga u l an d was at fi rs t u n de r R o m an s up r e m a c y bu t
so on m a d e h im s e l f i n de p e n d e n t . S e e B u ry I 1 5 2, C a m b r i dg e
M e di e v a l H i s t o r y 404 . Co n s t a n t i u s : th is i s C o n s t a nt i u s III
wh o be cam e em p e ro r i n 42 1 T h e m e e t i n g o f Co n s t a n t i u s a n d
.

Va l ia at t he p a s s i n . t h e P y r e n e e s , wh e r e t h e y m a de a t r e at y o f

p e a c e , to ok p l a c e i n t h e y e a r 4 1 6 .

1 65 o n t h e f o l l o w i n g t e r m s : s e e O r o s i u s 7 , 43 ,
. 12: Va l l i a
pacem opti m a m cum H o n or i o i mp e r a t o r e pepigi t : P l a ci di a m
i mpe r a t or i s s or or e m fr a tri r e ddi di t : R o ma n a e s e c ur i ta ti pe r i
m um pe r H i s pa n i a s
'

cu lum o bt u h t , u t a dv e rs u s ce t e r a s ge n tes , q u a e
c o m e di s s e n t, s i bi m
[ g n a r e t a i R o m a n i s v i n e e r e t a c e r t a i n cC o n
.

s tan tin e : see Ma r c e l l i n u s o n t h e y e a r 4 1 1 : Co ns ta n ti n u s a u d p

Ga l l i as i n v a s i t i m pe t i u m fi l i u m q u e s u u m e x m o n a c h o Ca e s a r e m fe ci t .

{ps e a p u d A r e l a t u m c i v i ta t e m o c ci di tu r Co ns ta ns fil i u s a p u d Vi e n ,

nam ca p i te pl e c ti tu r S e e a l s o O r o s i u s 7 40
.
, , 42 , 3 , 4 ; B u r y
I 1 39 -
1 44 . A r e l a t e : A r e l a s o r A r e la t e i n s o u t h e r n Gau l , o n

the ea st e rn bra n ch o f t h e R h o ne i s t h e m o de r n A r l e s , . Vien n e :

the R om an Vi e n n a w a s a cit y o f Ga l l i a Na r b o n e n s i s o n th e

R h o n e , t h e m o de rn V i e n n e .
J o vi n u s : see Mar c e l l i nu s on [
th e
ye ar 4 1 2 : I ow n u s S e ba s ti a nu s i n Ga ll i a s ty r a n n i de m m o l te n t es
'

et

o c ci s i s u m . See also O r o s i u s 7 , 42 6 ; , and Bu ry I 1 44 o n w a r d .

1 66 . tw e l th f ye a r of V al ia
’
s r e i gn : this wo u l d b e t h e ye ar
42 7 . Bu t as y f o u r y e a rs (4 1 5
V al ia r e ign e dthe onl
“

t we l ft h y e a r o f V a l ia s r e i gn m e n t i o n e d b y J or da n e s i s a
’ ”
-

t h e t we l fth y e a r
“
s tatem en t o f n o v al u e e x c e pt a s m e a n i n g ,

a ft e r t h e y e ar o f V a l ia s a c c e s s i o n I f t h e fi r s t i r ru p t i o n o f th e
’ ”
.

H u n s i s d a t e d a t 3 7 5 a n d a fe w y e a r s a r e a l l o w e d fo r t h e i r
a l m o s t fi ft y y e a r s o f J o r da n e s i s a
“
c o n q u e s t o f P a n n o n i a t he
” '

f ai rl y a c c u rat e s ta t e m e n t P a nn o n i a : s e e M a r ce l l i n u s o n .

t h e y e a r 42 7 : P a m zo n i a e q u a e pe r L a n n os a b H u n m s r e ti n e ba n tu r
'

a R oma n is r e c e pta e s m zt . H i e ri u s an d A r d ab u r e s : c on s ul s in
4 27 . See l P rosper and Ca s s i o do r u s ,
“

ch r o n i c l e fo r th is ye a r :
g e n s Va n da l o r u m [ Ca s s i o do r u s a dd s a Go t h i s e xc lu s a ] de H i s pa ni i s
ad Afir i ca m t ra ns i t .
 I 72 J OR DA N E S I O R I GI N A ND DEEDS OF T H E G OT H S

c o n a ti in c o ns pe c t u s u or u m m i s e r a bi l i t elr a r r e pt i et de m e t s i s u n t,

p a ce m cu m H on or i o pe pi g i t . a b l o o dl e s s v i ct o r y:
a re f e r e nc e p e ac e c o n c l u d e d w i t h H o n o r i u s ; s e e p a s s a g e
t o t he .

f r o m O r o s i u s c i t e d i n p r e c e d i n g n ot e a l s o X X X I I 1 65 a n d n o t e , .

T o l o s a : t h e c a p it a l o f t h e V i s i g o t h i c K i n g d o m i n Ga u l n o w
' -

,
'

To u l o u s e .

741 m e n t i on e d
. ab ov e : s ee XIV 81 . V e t e ri c : see XIV 81 .

s til l s ubmi t t ed t o X X I V 1 30 the H un s : see .

1 75 Th e o d o r i d : t h i s i s T h e o do r i d I w h o w a s s l a i n
. i n t he
B at tl e o f t h e Ca t a l a u n i a n P la i n s i n 4 5 1 S e e X L 2 09 . .

X X X I V 1 7 6 T h e o do s iu s a n d F e s t u s : c o n s u l s i
. n 4 39 .

C o u n t Ga i n a : t h e lt of Co u n t Ga i n a , Ga i n a s and the c
'

r e vo or , on

s equen t ou tbr e a k of p o pu l a r f r e n z y a ga i n s t the Go t h s i n C o n

s ta n t i n op l e a c tu a l l y oc c u r r e d i n 400 J o r da n e s s ee m s t o
t ho u g h -

a s s ig n it to t he co n s u l sh i p o f T h e o do s iu s an d F e s tu s , t h e
'
«

year 439 . Ga i na w a s .
k il l e d on t he s h o re s o f the D a nu be by
t he H u n U l di s , wh o sent h i s he a d t o A r c a d i u s .
( H o dg k i n I .

II F o r d e t a il s of the re v ol t of C o u n t Ga i n a see B ury

I 83 —
89 , C am b r i dg e M e di e v a l H i s t o ry
-
2 62 2 63 —
. Ae t iu s : the

g r e a t R o m a n g e n e ra l w h o d e f e a t e d A tt i la at t he B a tt l e of t he
Ca t a l a u n i a n P lain s ( Ch al o n s ) in 45 1 . See X X XV I 19 1 .

D u r o s t o ru m : t he m o d e r n S i l i st r i a
«
'

on the l o we r D a nu be .

1 77 . L i t o ri u s : J o r da n e s p r o b a b l y got h i s i n fo rm a t i o n
. f r om
P ro sp e r on th e y ea r 43 9 : Th e o d os i a X VI I e t F e s t o L i t ori u s q u i .

s e c u n da ab A c ti o p a tr i c i o o t e s ta t epH mm i s a u xi l i a n ti bu s ra e p
e ra t p ug na m cu m Go t h i s i mpr u d e n t ev c o ns e r u i t ta n ta m
i ps e h os ti bu s c l a de m i n tu li t ,
ut n is i i n c on s i de r a n t e r pr o e l i a n s i n
ca pti v i ta t e m i n ci d i s s e t du bi t a n du m for e t , , cm
’

p o ti ns p a r ti v i c t o r i a
a ds c r i beir e t u r po x c u m Go t h i s fa c t a ,
cu m eam p os t a n ci p i ti s
[ mg n a e l a cr i m a bi l e e xpe r i m e n tu m h u m i l i a s q u a m u m q u a m a n t e a
popos czs s e n t S e e B u r y I 1 7 2 C am b r i d g e M e d i e v a l H i s t o r y 4 1 1
'

.
, .

1 78 A t ti l a : h e a n d h i s b r o t h e r B l e da g a i n e d t h e r u l e o v e r t h e
.
‘ '

Huns i n 43 3 and B l e da w a s m u r d e r e d t w e l v e
-
y e a rs l a te r S e e .

XXX V 1 80 . an e m ba s s y: i n 44 8 t h e E m p e r o r Th e o do s i u s
I I s ent a n em b a s s y to At t il a a n d th e chi e f am b a s s ad o r , Ma xi m i n ,

i n v i t e d P r i s cu s , t he ma n of l e t te rs, t o a c co m p any h im . F ro m
P ris cu s m u ch f At t il a c o u nt r y
’
we l e a rn o
-

s o wn and c o u rt .

( H o dg k i n II Th e a c c o u nt of P ri s cu s is w e l l t r an sl a t e d
by Bur y (I m i gh t y ri v e r s : see P r i s c u s fr . 8 (4 p . 83
va va u r épo w wpoa efidk oue v WOT a / (5 1! né y wr m 5y
‘
LOI S oi
' '
re u e r ot
‘ ‘ '
7
, ,

'
I a r po v 8 r e
'
Apfixwv h e y ép e y o s m l 6 Tiy as m l 6 Tt dréa a : 5
1 v . Ka i 7 0157 012: M r

éwepa mi fine v Ti s i a : T he i s s See Co r p u s

’
. :t he riv e r . als o t he .

I n sc r . La t . III p . 24 7 fo r t he s e riv e rs . V i di g o i a : see V 43 .

vi l l a g e l ike a g re a t ci t y: s ee P ri s c u s fr . 8 ( p 89 .

39 50 2! 66‘ ? r ept
T on fiéh ov wke i a r a én fiy xa ve v o l mfiua r a ,
‘ ‘ ‘
t el y et! b e é y yk thpwv
‘ ‘
 C OM M E N T A R Y 1 72 v

'
Ka i fipuwa néuw i dr pévre ca v, T 6L
‘
fis Ar
’
u e s e 6 e ex éw a fida '
r n
'

flxa {wi c
a LT wuémys y a net fis .

791 . di nin g h a l l s : see P r i s c u s fr . 8 (p .

91 5% 7 0 3$

r ol xow oi x fi mi x {n r fipxo v oi 6£¢ poc 65 éKa r épa s ke fipa s Ba al/05

‘ '

ua r o s er s ; r .

T wes é1r i hu fif ofi ( At til a )

‘
oi l/7 37 01! ai r Ka h v r r oy évnv 66611 0 49 Ka 21ro m l h ocs
‘
T a 7
/7 1!

1r a pa 1r e r
'
d0na 0 t ' '

Kéo nov
'

Xdpw .

X X XV 1 80 Ma rc e l l i n u s
. B l e da : sa ys u n de r th e year 445 :

B l e da r ex H mm or u m A tti l a e fr o tt i s s ui i n s i di i s i n t e r i m i tu r .

1 83 . P ri s c u s sa ys : fo r t h e s t o r y o f t he s wo r d of Ma r s , see

P r i s c u s fr 8 ( p 9 1 '
, ,
ga ea da t 5e O13K e Z s uu k oau
“
fio ns a ll “
tr a p or
'

;
( A t t i l a ) (Sm/da m s a nna l ve t v Ka i 71 0
7 01 7 61/ 66 6V
"
Ape o s it l
/a

pi 611 i epou e d w E xvdt mfi v m h éwv

' ‘

( a l/a ur a Hobos , ote Ka i r ap

'
r B a
'
r t nc éue uo v, ofa.

3 é¢ 6pqa
1 9 7 651/ wok éuwv dVa KGI/LGVOV , éV 7 02$ Wdh a c dz
pa ma dfiva t xpévocs , ei r a di d
'
. .

Bobs e bpe dfiva t .

XX XVI 1 84 . m e n t i on e d s h ortl y b e f o re : in XXXIII 1 7o .

i n ci te d to war : see P r i s c u s =fr . 15 (p .

98 3x6 ” ,
? ( A tt i l a ) édoxe t m m : 97v éowr épa v m
’
ourr g és 7 a r pa r e tfie crda t
'
7 7 93 d 0 191 .
t
'

é vo u mobs I T a N urr a s , d pbs I ér do vs m l @p dy yo vs éa oy é uns ,

'

ps i) ,u am? b
‘ ' ' '
1r 7rp s
’

I r aN 631/ xp mwi r wu ka Be i v ,
(

i n! Or wp l a v # 6 7 61 pos at F ét dovs
'

pe 650 7 '
t! urr a s 6 t 7
'
. 7r

xdpw I déue vov S e e B u ry I 7 S, C a m b r i dg e M e di e v a l

‘
g l xq)
’

Ka r a n
'
L ep . I

H i s tory 36 4 a nd 41 5 . H u n e ri c : se e n o te on XXX I I I 1 70 .

1 85 . s e nt a m ba s s a do r s in t o I t al y : this wa s i n t h e ye ar 45 1 .

1 88 .
gi v e h e e d : W . F r oh n e r ( P h i l o l o gu s . s u pp l bd .
5 , 55 [ 1 889 ]
woul d re ad fo v e t e ,
no t fa v e t e .

1 90 . F r i de ri c h E u ri c h , R et e m e r H i m n e ri t h : of

t hese fou r s o n s, E u r i ch a l o n e b e c am e ki ng . He re ign e d f r om

4 6 6 to 4 8 5 . Th o r i s m u d an d Th e o d o ri d : T h o ri s m u d s u c ce e de d

h i s f at h e r as king o f t h e V i s i go t h s , rei gn in g from 45 1

-

4 53 , and

h i s b r ot h e r T h e o d o r i d s u c ce e d e d h im , as Th e o do r i d II ,
re igni n g

f ro m 4 5 3 4 66
-

1 92 . C a t al a u n i a n P l ai n s : th e s ite
'
of th is g r ea t ba t t l e is
u s ual l y p l a c ed at C hal o n s
' -

sur n -
Ma r n e -

,
b ut v on W ie t e r s h e i m and

H o d g ki n b e l i e v e i t was f o u gh t
[
near Me r y - —
sur S e i ne ; -
see H o dg
kin II 1 43 -
1 45 ; a ls o B u ry I 77 and 1 C a m b r i dg e M e di e v a l
H i s to r y 41 6 no te 2 . Th e d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e ba t t l e , as well as

th e g e n e ra l account of A t t i l a i s b e l i e v e d by Mo m m s e n ( I n t r o
du c t i o n
-
XXXVI)
u -
t o h a v e b e e n ta k e n ove r s o l i dl y f r om P r i s c u s .

H o dg k i n ( I I 1 2 5 ,
n ot e ) r eg a r d s Ca s s i o d o r u s as a m o re p r o b abl e
s ou rc e , b e cau s e of the s t ro n g Go t h i c c o l o ri n g .

X X XV I I 1 94 . S a n gi b an : se e P ro sp er Ti r o on th e year 440 :
de s err t a V a l e n ti n a e u r bi s rum A la nis , q u i bu s S a m bi da pr a e e r a t ,

p a r ti e n do tr a d u n t u r . A u r e l i a ni : th e p re s e nt Orl e a n s . Gre g o ry
of To urs (2 , 7) g iv e s a d i ff e r e nt v e rs ion of
«
this s i e ge .

X X XVI I I 1 99 . V al a m i r, Th i u d im e r and V i dim e r : s ee a l so

X LVI I I 2 52 an d f o l l o win g . the k in g th e y s e rv e d : th e Os tro

I 74 J OR DA N E S Z O RI GI N A ND D EEDS OF T H E G OT H S

g ot h s, i t wi l l be r e m em b e r e d, at t h is t im e s ub m i t t e d to the
o v e r l o r ds h i p o f th e Hu n s . A r da ri c : see L 2 60 , 2 62 , 2 63 .

A l s o R o m a no 3 3 1 and B u r y, I 26 1 n ote 2 .

2 00 . ke ep e r o f s e cre t s : Ca s s io d o ru s s a y s ( v a r 1 1 .
, Vn a l a
m er e n i tu i t fid e . w e ha d s ai d : i n X X X V I I I 1 99 . in
f e a r a n d t re m b l i n g : c o m p a re w i t h t h e cu m ti m or e et tr e i n or e
o f J o r da n e s t h e V u l g at e P h il II 1 2 : cu m m e ta et tr e m o r e
'
. .

XXXIX 20 6 . th e M a e o t i a n s wa m p : s ee XXIV 1 23 .

X L 20 9 . A n da g : t h e fa t h e r o f B a z a , t o wh o m J or da n e s wa s
n o t ar i u s . : See n ot e on L 2 66 . in p roph e cy : s e e X XXVI I 1 96 .

21 0 . n e a rl y s l ew At t i l a : see Ca s s i o d o r u s on th e ye ar 45 1 :
R o m a n i A e ti o du ce Go thi c a u xi l i a r i bu s c o n tr a A tti l a ni in ca m o p
Ca ta l a u n i c o pu g n a v e r n n t q u i v i r t u t e Go t h o r u m s upe ra t u s a bs c e s si t ,
.

P r o s p e r n e i t h e r m e n t i o n s t h e p l a c e n o r g i v e s t h e Go t h s c r e d i t
-

fo r t h e v i ct o r y .

X LI 21 6 . h is bro th e r s : i t w il l be re m e m b e r e d t h at Theo
I
do r i d ha d sent hom e '
fo u r of his so n s b e f o r e t h e ba t t l e ; see
'

XXX V I 1 90 .

21 8 . the old o ra cl e s : s u ch as th e g oo d omen of the s wo rd

of Ma r s X X V , 1 83 .

XLII 21 9 . A q u i l e ia : se e XV 88 . Th e r iv e r N'a t i s s a or

Na t i s o ( A m m i a n u s 21, 1 2, 8 ) i s t h e m o d e r n Na t i so n e ; M o u nt
P ic c i s i s n ot m e n t i on e d el s ewh ere .

22 1 f o rc e d
. t h e i r w ay : P ro s p er has no thing ab o u t t h i s . Ca s
s i o d o ru s s a y s o n t he year 4 5 2 : A t ti l a A q u i l ei a m m ag n a v i
di m i c a n s i n tr o i v i t . Th e r e fu g e e s fro m t h e c it i e s s a ck e d a nd
b u r n e d by A t t i l a fl e d t o t h e l a go o n s a t t h e m o u t h s o f t h e
P i a v e a n d t h e B r e n ta o c c u p y i n g t h e i s la n ds w h i c h l a t e r b e ,
-

c am e the s ite of t he ci t y of V e n ic e . S e e B u ry
« I 7 9 , I 8O
1 .

2 22 . M e di o l a n u m : M i l a n . T i c i n um : on th e Ti c i n u s r i v e r ;
t h e m o de r n P av ia . P ri s c u s r el at e s : th e p a s s a ge i s n o t p r e s e r v e d .

2 23 . P ope Leo : P op e '

fr om 440
-

46 1 . P ro s p e r ( on t h e ye ar
.

452 ) sa ys '

of t his e m ba s s y : s u s c e pi t n e g o ti u m p ap a
Leo i ta sa mmi s a c e r d o ti s p r a e s e n ti a r ex ga vi s us e s t, a t et

be l l o a bs ti n e r i pr a e ci per e t et D a n i wi u m pr o m i s s a p a c e di s c e
u l tra

de r e t . See B u ry I 1 79 , H o dg k i n I I 1 5 6 1 6 1 A m b u l e i an -
.

di s t ri c t : t h i s r e gi o n is n ot else whe r e m e n t i o n e d . Th e Mi n c i u s
is a t r ib u t a r y o f t he P0 in Ci s a l p i n e Ga u l , n ow cal l e d th e
Mi n c i o . H o n o ri a : r
t he da u g h t e r of Ga l l a P l a c i di a an d Co n
s t a nt i u s Ga l l a P l a c i d i a m a r r i e d u p o n t h e d ea t h o f
III , w ho m
h e r fi r s t h u s b a n d At h a v u l f S e e a l s o t he a c c o u n t g i v e n by .

P ri s c u s fr 1 6 ( p 9 9
’ ,
6 Ar r fih a s
’
r cbv da d a lrr bv dr apa s
’

, .
) .

6: T hu I r u Ma V gr ea t e r! (136 7 6 T ip: v pl a v éKdt oé va t

'
rr é rz
'
ei va t y ct p a z
‘ ’ '
’ '
puo a
'
.

uémyv 1rpbs y dp o v, fipt o v 5ae vos T or n a p a bn ¢ 0é w a (Sa xn i h co v , 8V

’

T e xa is
'
1ro¢ oz 7rey

Ka i ém aa xdna éue vo v éa r c pa xwpe l v 6e mi n ; 2» B a h e w wra vov m l 7 00

‘
'
et n a 7
I 76 J OR DA N E S I O R I G I N A N D D EEDS OF T H E G OT H S

s ua e m e n s e m e m br a ti m R o m a e a R o m a n i s di s e er ptu s es t . Ge n s e
ri eus r ex Wa n da l or u m
A fr i ca K o m a m i n gr es s u s e s t ea q u e ex

zi r be r e bu s o m n i bu s s po l i a ta Th e V a n dal s a re s a i d t o h av e b e e n .

s um m o n e d fro m A f r i c a b y t h e E m p r e s s E u do x i a , w i d o w o f
.

V a l e nt i n i a n I I I w h o m M a x i m u s h a d fo r c e d t o m a r r y h im
,
.
n -
.

( H o dg k i n I I 1B ut see B u ry I 23 5 , C a m b r i dg e M e di e v a l
H i s t o r y 3 08 . M ax i m u s w a s m u r de r e d a f t e r a
wa s s l ai n :

re ign o f a b o u t t h r e e m o n t h s ; s e e B u r y I 2 3 5 H o d g k i n I I 205 , .

23 6 . M aj o ri an : t h e E m p er o r Ma j o r i a n w a s k il l e d i n A u g u s t '

46 1 . S ee M a r c e l l i n u s o n t hi s y e a r : M a i ori a n u s Ca e s ar a pu d
D e r t o n a m i i i x ta flu vi u m q u i H i ra di ci t i i r i n te r e m pt u s es t : l o cu m
ei u s S ev e r us i n vas i t . Co m p a r e a l s o R o ma n o 3 3 5 , W h e re J o r da n e s - '

s ee m s t o h a v e dr a w n o n t h e Ge ti c a as a s ou rce . S e e B u ry I 240

D er t o n a : a cit y i n L i g u r ia , n o w T o r t o na r
. F or t h e ri v e r I ra
see Co r p u s i n s cr . l a t V p 82 8 . . . . An t h e m i u s : so M arc e l l inus
on the ye ar 46 7 : L eo i m p e ra tor A n t h e m i u m pa tr i ci u m K o m a m
m i s i t i m per a t o r e m q u e c o n s ti t u i t . A f t e r It h e d e a t h o f S e v e r u s t h e r e '

wa s fo r t w e n t y m
‘
o nt hs no e m p e r o r i n t he w e s t ; an i n t e rr e gn u m
w hich, as H o d g ki n ( I I 440) p o i nt s
.
“
p r e p a r e d t h e w a y fo r
ou t,
the a bo l i ti o n of the di gn i t y o f A u gu s t u s i n An t h e m iu s
wa s t h e son -
in l aw
-
o f Marcia n ,
Le o ’
s p r e de c e s s or in the e a st .

S ee B ury I 243 244, -

C a m b r i dg e M e di e v a l H i s t o r y 42 6 R i ci '
.

m e r : R i c im e r , t h e g ra n d s o n o f V a l i a , k i n g o f t h e V i s i g o t h s
.
,

wa s t h e po w e r b e h i n d t h e R o m a n t h r o n e fo r t h e s i xt e e n y e a r s
( 4 5 6 47 2 ) a f t e r A v i t u s [ X L V 2 40 ] w a s d e p o s e d ( H o dg k i n I I
-

S e e B u r y I 2 3 4 249 C a m b r i d g e Me d i e v a l H i s t o r y 422 -

, .

B e o r g : H o dg k i n ( I I 44 0) s u g g e s t s t h at h e m a y h a v e b e e n t h e
'
- -
'

su cce s s o r of S a n giba n ( XX XV I I R e o rg was kill e d

i n 4 64 .

23 7 . B r i tt on e s : see - -

Gr e g o r y of To u r s 2, 1 8 : B r i ta mi i de B i t u r i c a
a Go t hi s e xpi i ls i s i mt m u l ti s a pu d D o l e ns e m v i cu m pe r e m pti s Ri o .

timu s : s up p o s e d t o be th e . s am e a s t h e R i ot h a m u s t o w h o m a

l e t te r of S i do n i u s (3 .
9) is . a d dr e s s e d .

23 8 . A r v e rn a : t h e A rv e rn i we r e a p e op l e Ga u l i n t h e r e g i o n
of

n o w c al l e d Au v e rg n e . Se e XLV -
2 40 , a n d H o d g k i n I I 4 86 488
i - -
.

23 9 . Ol y b r i u s : see Ma r c e l li n u s on t h e y e a r 4 7 2 : v i i i i d NO7J
'

. .

A n th e m i u s i mp . R om a e a R i ei m er e g e n er a suo o c c i di t u r . loco
ei us Oly br i u s s u bs ti tu t u s . S e e B u ry I 24 8 , C am b r i dg e M e di e v a l
H i s t o ry 42 8 . As p ar : h e wa s o f t h e Al a n i, a ge n er a l and ex

oo ns u l , an d h i s p o w e r i n t h e e a s t e r n e m p i r e w a s g r e at fo r m a n y
ye a r s .
( H o dg i n k I t w a s m a i n l y t h r o u gh h i s i n flu e n c e
II .

t h a t L e o b ec a m e '
e m p e ro r ( 457 C o m p a r e Ma r c e l l i n us o n
t he ye a r 47 1 : As p a r pr i mus pa t ri c i or u m c u m A r da bu r e e t P a tr i c i o l o
filii s i l l o
, q u i de m o li m p a t i i o r c ,
h oe Ca e s air e g e n e r o q u e L e o n i s
a u tem

pr i n ci pi s a pp e l l a t o ,
Ar r i a n u s c u m A r r i a na pr o l e s pa d o n u m e n s i bu s
 C OM M E N T A R Y 1 77

i n pa l a ti o v u l n e r a tu s i n teri i t . S e e R oma ii a 3 3 8 . ba r e l y e i gh t

m on th s : M a r c e l li n u s on t he y e a r 47 2 : s e p t i m o m e ns e i m p e ri i
s ui v i ta d efu n c t u s e s t . ra th e r by usur p at i on : so M a rc e l l i n u s
on th e year 47 3 : Gly c e r i a s a p ud R av e nna m p lus pr a e s u m pti on e
qua m e l e c ti o n e Ca e s a r fa c tu s es t . G l y c e ri u s w a s ra i s e d to th e
t h r o ne by Gu n d o b a d '

, a B u r g u n di a n ,
'
.
th e p he w o f R i c i m e r
ne

( H od g k i n II S e e B u ry l
I 2 7 44 2 7 6 . Ne p o s : J u l i u s N e p o s
wa s e l e v at e d t o the i m p e r i a l di g n i t y b y t h e ru l e rs i
of t he e as t,

wh o re u s e d f to re c o gn iz e Gl y ce r i u s a s t h e em pe r o r . T h ou g h
p r o c l a im e d
-

C o n st a n t i n o p l e i n 4 7 3 h e d i d
at , n ot a r ri v e in I ta l y
u nt i l t he f o l l ow i n g y ea r ( H o dg k i n I I de p o s e d h im : see

Ma r ce l l i n u s on t he year 4 74 : Gl y ce r i a s a N e p o t e Ma r c e l l i n i
q u o n da m pa tr i ci i s o r o r i s fil i o i m pelri o ex p u ls a s i ii P a r ti i u r bi s

R oma e ex Ca e s a r e e pi s c o pi i s o r di n a t u s es t . See R om a na 3 38 .

b i s h op : t he e x e mp e r o r
-
G l y c e r i n s wa s c o n s e c ra t e d as B ish op of

S alo n a
'

, a n d s e n t o ff to D a l m at i a . P o rt of R ome : th e f o rt i fi e d
h a r bo r t o w n kn o wn as P o r t u s A u g u s ti ( that i s N e ro ) , et Tr a i a n i ,
o p p o s it e Os t ia .

2 4o . al r e a d y s aid : in X LV 23 7 . . A r v e rn a : . s ee X LV 23 8 .

E c di c i u s : see Gr e g o r y of To u r s ,
h i st . F ran c . 2, 24, a n d H o dg k i n
II 49 4 A v i t u s : h e w a s r a i s e d t o t h e i m p e r i a l d i g n i t y i n 45 5
.

an d d i e d t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r I t w a s i n 4 5 6 t h at h e w a s d e p o s e d .

by R i c im e r and c o n s ec r at e d bi s h o p at P l a c en tia .

24 1 . Ore s t e s : s ee M a rc e l l i n u s o n t h e y e a r i

4 7 5 : N e o t e Or e s t e s p
pur o ti n u s e fl u ga t o A u g u s tu l u m fil i u m m u m i n p
i m e r i u m c o l l o ca vi t .

S e e R o m a n a 3 44 O re s t e s h a d b e e n t h e s e c r e t a ry o f At t il a
. fled .

t o D al m a t i a : i t i s a c u r i o u s co i nc i d e n c e t h a t t h e s e t w o d e p o se d
e m p e r o r s s h o u l d e n d t h e i r da y s i n t h e s a m e c i t y '
.

X LV I 2 42 . T o rc i l i n gi S e i ri H e ru l i : th e s e ra c e s

d we lt i n t h e re gi o n t o the n o rth of t h e m i ddl e D a n u be ( H o dg

ki n II i n v a de d I t al y : see Ma r c e l l in u s on the year 47 6 :
Odo v a c e r r ex Go t h or u m K o m a m o b ti i m i t . C r e s t e m Odo v a c e r i l i c a
t r u c i da v i t . A u g u s t u l u m fi l i u m Or e s ti s Od o v a c e r i n L u c u l l a n o Ca m
pa n i a e c a s t e l l o e xi l i i p o e na da m n a v i t S e e a l s o R o m a n a 3 44 a n d .

Bu r y I 2 78 28 1 ,
-
Ca m b r i d g e Me di e v a l H i s t o r y 43 0 . Ca s tl e of

L u cu l l u s : t h e L u cu l la n u m , t h e m a g n i fic e n t v il l a b u i lt ne a r Na p l e s
by L L i c i n i u s L u c u l l u s
.
, w h o d e f ea t e d M i t h r i da t e s i n 73 B C . .

an d di e d 5 7 5 6 B C -

. .

24 3 s e v e n h u n dr e d
. a n d n i n th year : t ha t i s , d a t i n g t h e be g i n
n ing of t he ru l e of Au gu s t u s fro m the a s s a s s inat io n o f J ul iu s

C a e s a r i n 44 B C . . fi v e h u n dr e d an d t we n t y -
s e cond y ea r : the
s e n t en c e is take n over alm ost un chan ge d f r o m Ma r c e l l i n u s on

the year 4 76 . Th e c h ro no l o g y m ay be e xp l a i n e d a s f o l l ow s :
1 78 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N A N D DEE D S OF T H E G OT H S

Fo u n di n g o f Rome 753 B C . .

Ac c e s s io n of A u g u s t u s i n 7 o9 t h ye a r
a fte r ( 2
7 08 y e a r s ) 45 B C . .

R om ulus Au gu s t u lu s in 5 2 2 md
-

ye a r
a fter a c c e s s io n o f Au gu st u s
52 1 y ea r s ) 47 6 A D . .

A l t h o u gh t h e t o t a l r e e k o n i n g c o m e s o u t c o r r e ct l y t he d a te o f
-

t h e a s s a s s i n a t i o n o f J u l i u s l C a e s a r s h o u l d, o f c o u r s e , b e 44 n o t ,

45, B C . S e e a l s o R o m a n a 3 45
. s l e w C o u n t B r a c il a : s e e M a r .

c e l li n u s on t he ye a r 47 7 : B r a ci l a m c o m i te m Od ov a c e r r ex a pud
R a ve n na m o c c i di t . al m o s t th i rte en y ea r s : O d o ac e r fle d to
R a v e n n a i n 4 89 a fte r the B at t l e of V e ron a ; see LV I I 29 3 .

X LV I I 2 45 . n in th in s u cce s s i on : the fol l o wing is a l is t of

t he V i s i go t h i c k in gs m e nt i o n e d by -
.
J o r da n e s :
Al a ri c I 39 5 4 1 0-

At h a v u l f 4 10
-

41 5
S e ge ri c 41 5
V a l ia 41 5 41 9
-

Th e o do r i d
'
I 419
-

45 1
Th o ri s m u d 45 1 -

4 53
T h e o d or i d 1 1 45 3 4 6 6
-

E u ri c h 46 6 48 5
-

Al a ric 1 1 48 5 5 0 7
-

Am a l a ri c 50 7
Th i u d i s 53 1 -

5 48
T h i u di g i s l u s
' ‘

5 48 5 49 -

Ag i l 5 49 5 5 4 -

At h a n a g i l d 55 4 5 6 7 -

s ta t e d a b o v e : in X LV I 2 43 .

X LV I I I 24 6 . H e rm a n a r i c : he di e d i n 3 75 ; see XXIV I 3O
an d note . V i n i t h a ri u s : see g e n e al o gi c al c h a rt , p .
41 .

247 . B oz : no t ot h e r w i s e me n tio n e d .

B al am be r : see XX IV 1 30 and n ote . Ge s i m u n d :

Mo m m s e n ( I n de x P e r s o na r u m , p . 1 43 , u n de r Ge s i m u n du s ) p o i nt s
out t h at :i t is e v i de n t fr om t wo p a s s age s t h a t a g e n e r at i o n has
fa l l e n o ut in o ne '
b ra n c h of t h e fa m i l y tre e of t he Ama l i a s

giv e n in XIV 79 F o r in
. X LV I I I 252 V a n da l a r i u s t h e s on of

V i n i t h a r iu s a n d T ho r i s m u d t he s on of H u n im u n d a re c al l e d

co u s in s , w h i ch req u ire s the sam e nu m be r «o f g e n e r a t i o n s b e tw e e n

e ach o f t hem a nd t h e ir c o mm o n ance s to rs, and f u r t he r m o r e
Ge s i m u n d w h o i s h e r e ( X LV II I I 248 ) c a l l e d t h e s o n o f H u n i
,
'

m u n d t h e Gr e a t i s n o t f o u n d i n t h e g e n e a l o g i c a l l i s t t h o u g h t h e
, ,

o t h e r A m a l i w i t h w h o m h e i s m e n t i o n e d a re a l l n a m e d t h e r e
-
'
.

F u rt h e r m o ir e ( t h o u g h M o m m s e n d o e s n o t at t a ch m u c h i m p o r
’
- '
-
I 8O J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N A N D D EED S OF T H E G OT H S

t he c row n . H od g k i n ’
s ex p l a na t i o n s e em s r a t h e r m o r e p r Oéb a b 1e -
°

t h at t h e Go t h s d i d fo r a t i m e h e s i t at e t o fi l l t h e p l a ce o f t h e i r
be l o v e d k i n g , and the H u n s wh o w e r e
'

, t h e i r Ov e r l o r d s , . so p ro
l onge d th is p e rio d t ha t it wa s a g e n e r at i o n be fo re t h e y su c

ce e d e d in r e s t o ri n g th e Am a l l i ne t o t h e t hron e .
( H o dg ki n III
we h av e s ai d b e fo re : i n XXX II I 1 74 . A m al a s u e n t h a : or

t h e d a u gh t e r o f T’h e o d o r i c a nd A u d e fl e da . See
al s o LI X 3 04 o n w a rd . d i v i d e d l on g ago : that is, w h en Be re
mud went t o t he Vi s i g ot h s ; s ee XXXII I 1 74 . s e con d

h u s ba n d : M at h e s u e nt h a s fi r s t ’
h u s b a n d w a s V it i g e s , t h e arm o r

b ea r e r o f T h e o da ha d ( L X
’ ‘

25 2. s t oc k of V a n da l a r i u s : wi th t h e s e ction s of this ch a p te r
com p a re al s o X I V 79 onward and LV I I I 29 7 o n ward .

25 3 . T h i u di m e r s e rv e d : so Ca s s i o d o r u s 1 1 ,
I : e ni tu i t

V n a l a m e r fid e ,
Th e u di m er p i e ta te .

XLI X 254 . P ri s c u s rel a t e s : th e pa s s a g e is n ot p r e s e rv e d .

257 too k an nual t ri b u t e : s ee P i s c u s fr

=
r: 3 (p 90
'

. . .

7 631/ 1r 631ro r e
' '
r fi s E Kvfluci ys 3) ‘
Ka t ér épa s dpEd ur wv 7 73 $ r oa a fir a é v
’
o Mq cp /

Ka r a n e r pdxda t , (60 7 6 7 659 eu ’

r ii r fi a
'
wu dpxe w Ka l « pas 71 d
'

1 5
E xvdt Kfi Ka t P wua l ov s 3x6 1 1! és qbépov d i ra y wyi i u
'
.

L 2 60 . A r da ri c : s ee a lso XXXV I I I 1 99 and R om a no 33 1 .

Ne da o : o r Net a d : t h i s s t r e a m wa s p r o ba b l y i n -
th e pa r t of

H u ng a r y w e s t o f t h e D a n u b e ( H o dg k i n I I . By t hi s
v icto r y i n 4 54 t he O s t r o g o t h s w e r e at l a st f r e e d f r o m t h e y ok e
of the H u n s a f t e r a l m o s t e i ght y ye a r s o f s u bj e c t i o n t o t he m .

S e e B u ry I 26 1 .

261 . S ua v i fi gh t i n g o n f o o t : W F r Oh n e r ( P h i l o l o g u s s u p
th e .
‘

p l b d 5 , 5 5 [ 1 889 ] w o u l d r e a d l a p i d e fo r p e d e r e f e r r i n g t o t h e u s e
.
,

o f th e s l in g .

2 63 . Ma rc i a n : he re ign e d f ro m 4 50 45 7
-
.

2 64 . S i rm i um V i n d o b o na -
: S i r m i um c o rr e s p o n ds to a

t own of H unga ry ca l l e d Mi t r o v i t z ; V i n d o bo n a i s t h e m o d e r n
V i e n na .

265 . Ca s t r a M a r t i s : Ca s t r a M a r t i s or Cas tr a m ar t e ii v
a u r bs , as

i t he re c a l l e d, -

was a c it yD a c i a Ri p e n s i s
of . Duke of P e n ta
p ol i s : i n L i bya ; see P r oc o p i u s be l l Va n d 2 , . . 21 . F r oi l a an d

Bessa : of B l i v i l a , m e nt i o n e d a bo v e , a nd F roi l a, we kn ow no

mo r e th an Jo rd a n e s s tates . P r o c= 0 p i u s
'

u
.
( be l l Go th . . 1 ,
1 6) sa ys
'
of B e s sa ( or B e s s as ) ii r o s F 67 60; ‘
y é uos 0v éx wa k a wfi
’

,
‘

: o
'
uev
,
'
7 ev e pa Ky

gi Kn/ I r a Ma v ém i y e
’
i éuwv Gev dep txg 013K ém a vrouévwv , i7 V£Ka évdé ude és 6V
’
‘ '
o 7
,

P 67 00» ; Ae u w
’
.
‘

pp e a r s t h at h e
F r om an o the r p as s age (4 ,
I I ) it a

w a s o v e r s e v e n t y y e a rs o f ag e i n 5 5 1 T h e f ac t t h a t J o r d a n e s .

s p e a k s O f Be s s a a s P a tr i c i a n i n o u r ti m e h e l p s t o e s t ab l i s h t h e

da t e Of the Ge ti ca . S c i ri : se e X LV I 2 42 . S a da ga r ii :

Zeuss p .
7 09 .
 C OM M E N T A R Y I 81

26 6 . P a ri a C an dac : th is S h o rt s e c t io n c o n tain s p ract i

c al l y a l l t h at w e k
'
now o f Jo r da n e s on
'
his own st a t e me nt : t h at
h e wa s t h e A l a n o v i i a m u t h ( b u t s e e I n t r o du c ti o n p 3 )
s on Of .

a n d g r a n ds o n o f P a ri a , t he n o t a r y o f t h a t Ca u dae w h o l e d t h e

S e i r i S a d a g a r i i a n d c e r t a i n o f t h e A l an i i n t o S c y t h i a M i n o r a n d
,

Mo e s ia An d
‘

L ow e r .
,
J o r da n e s h i m
if I read th e La t i n a ri gh t ,

s e l f wa s s e c r e t a r y o f Gu n t h i g i s o t h e r w i s e k n ow n a s B a z a the , ,

s o n o f C a n da c e s i s t e r a n d An da g w h o s e f a t h e r A n d e la w a s
’
,

o f t h e r o y a l f am i l y o f t h e A m a l i (
.

[ Al a n i ] [ O s t ro g o t h s ]
A n de l a ( A m a l u s )

Ca n da c sis te r m a r r i e d An da g (see XL 209 )

Gu n t h i g i s , or Baz a
b e fore my c o n v e rs i on : s ee i n t r o du c t i o n p .
5 . R u gi : p re
v i o u s ly m e nt i o n e d in III 24 a n d p e r h ap s in IV 26 ( U l m e ru g i ) .

B izy e : B iz y e wa s a t own of
n T h ra c e '

, n ot fa r rfr o m C o n s t a nt i
n op l e . A r c a di Op o l i s : t h i s to w n , f o r m e rl y c all e d B e r gu l a
-

, was
h i m H p vd xs e e fr 3 6 ( p 1 0 7
’

n ea r B iz y e . H e rn ac : P ri s c u s cal l s . .

E mn e t z u r a n d U l t z i n du r : n o t m e n t i o n e d e l se wh e r e -

Bu t see note on L 111 2 72 . O e s cu s

'
an d U tu s an d Al m u s :
M om m s e n t hin ks t ha t t h e s e a r e t h r e e t r i b u t a ri e s o f t h e D a n u b e
w i t h t h r e e t o w n s b ea r i n g t h e s a m e nam e s S it u a t e d at th eir
m ouths T h e re i s n o o th e r m e n tio n
. Of U tu s . S a c r om o n t i s i
an d F o s s at i s i i : n ot m ention ed e l s e wh e r e .

LI 267 V u l fi l a : B i s h: 0 p U l fi l a S l i v e d
.
-
p r o ba b l y f r o m 3 11 -

381 .

Se e B e s s e l , U e b e r da s L e be n d e s U l fi l a S und d i e iB e k e h r u n g d e r
'

- -

Got h e n z u m Ch r i s t e n t h u m ( GOt t i n g e n t a u gh t t h e m t o
‘
-

w r i t e : s e e S o c r a t e s hi s t e c c l 4 3 3 : Oizxcp l xa s 6 ma y P ér awv
’

.
,
.

7 pduua r a éqbe fipe I

‘
or
’
fit . Ni c o p o l i t a n r e gi on : s ee XVII I 1 01 , and

n ot e on Ni c o p o l i s
-

L I I 268 . d Aq u a N i gra : t h e s e s t r e a m s i n P a n
S ca r n i u n ga an :

n o n i a a r e n o t m e nt i o n e d e l s e w h e r e , a n d i t s e e m s i m p o s s i bl e t o

i d e n t i fy t h e m L a e P e l s o : s e e c or u s i n s or l a t
. k p 523 p . . III . .

E i t h e r t h e Ne u s i e dl e r S e e i n t h e n o r t h w e s t c o rn e r o f H u n g a r y
‘
-

or t e P l a tt e n S
h l
e e, m ore than a h u n dr e d m i l e s s ou th e a s t of it .

( H o dg k i n III
270 . li k e a Ne w Y e a r ’
s pre s e n t : s tr e u a , n ot s tr e n u a as in
Jo r da n e s ,
is t he co rre ct fo rm . T h e o d o ri c , s on of Tr i a r i u s : h e
w as kinsm an f Asp a r an d pe r h a p s t h e re f o re a fr i e n d o f t h e
‘

a o I

E m p e ro r Leo ( H o dg ki n III In a ft e r y e a rs t he t wo
T h e o do r ic s c ro s s e d ea ch o th ers p at hs an d t h eir r e la t i on s w i t h
t he E m p e ror Ze no w e r e i n t r ic at e a n d e v e r ch a n g i n g Se e B u r y .

I 2 62 o n w a r d, C a m b r i d g e lM e d i e v a l H i s t o r y 4 7 0 o n w a r d .
1 82 J OR DA N E S Z O R I G I N A N D DEE D S OF T H E G OT H S

L 111 272 . S a d a gi s : s ee Z e u ss p .
7 09 . Di n t z i c : i n P ri s c u s
fr 3 6, 3 8 (p 1 08 Mu e l l ) he is c a l l e d Aé w t ft x U l t z in
‘
‘

.
.
. 1 07 , . .

z ure s : in L 2 66 m e n ti o n i s m a d e o f a c e rt a i n U l t z i n du r . Co m
p ar e A ga t h i a s 5 , 1 1 ; i n a i/r e s
(S
“
Kow fi Me z
‘
/ Z KIfifla L K a l Ofiuz/OL éwwvog dgow o
‘

i 5 l g 6e Ira r
-
é 7 6 [J év n
th/77, 7 Ko r pl yo vpm , .
' '
7 6 5% Ofir i y ovpm, dh kor 5 e ’

i vfit m
a l akkm B ovpo v y o z Z e us s p '
. ,
7 09 . An gi s c i r i : sec

Z euss p .
7 09 . B i t t u gur e s : A ga t h i a s 2, I 3 s pe a k s of Ofiv mxbv Tb

30m oi B l r r op6 9 . See a lso Ze u s s p

. .
7 09 . B a r do r e s : se e Z eu ss
p .
7 09 . B a s s ia n a : Mo m m s e n ( c or /ms i n s c r l a t I I I ) p l a ce s t h i s . .

cit y on t h e R aa b i n H u n g a r y ab o u t t w e n t y m i l e s e a s t o f S t e m ,

am -
An g e r .

2 73 . H u n im u n d : to be d i s t i n g u i s he d fro m H u n im u n d the
Am a l '
'

,
m e n t i o ne
-

d in XIV 8I . D al m at ia w a s n e ar S u av ia :

Mo m m s e n ( p ) J o rd a n e s i s i n e r ro r H e c o n
. 1 65 sh o w s t ha t -
.

fo u n d s S u av i a w i t h S a v i a t h e R o m a n p r o v i n c e w h i c h b o r d e r s
l -
'
.
,

on D alm atia M o r e o v e r t h e n a r ra t i v e o f J o r d a n e s m a k e s i t
.
-

c l e a r t h a t H u n im u n d c am e i n t o D a l m a t i a f r o m Ge r m a n y For '
.

t he s i t u a ti o n of t he S ua v i I
s ee LV 2 80 a n d n ot e . Ac c o r di n g t o
P r oc o p i u s ( be l l Go th . . I , t he S u av i w e re n e i g hb o r s of t he
Th u r i n g i
'
an d A l anm a n n i . S e e Bu r y I 2 62 , n ot e 3 .

276 . V a l am i r wa s s l ai n : J o rdan e s giv e s a résu mé

of th es e a nd the f o l l ow i n g e v e nt s i n t h e R o m a na 3 4 7
'
. Th u s
w e re al l de s tr o y e d : Ho d gk in ( I I I 22 ) re m ar s t ha t k J o r da n e s
dw e l l s u po n t h e d e s t ru ct i o n o f t h e S c i ri , p e rhap s to o b s cu re the
re al i s su e of t h e li ght I n a ddi t i o n t o h e l o s s o f t h e i r . i ng , ! it
'

k
t h e Go t h s m a y h a v e s u ff e r e d a s e v e re d e f e a t a t t h e h a n d s o f t h e '

S ua v i ; a
'
s u rm i s e r e n de r e d all th e mo re p r o b a bl e by the e vents

r e c o u nt e d in t he f ol l o w i n g s e ct i o n s .

LI V Al a ri c : t h i s A l a r i c fk i n g w i t h H u n i m u n d o f t h e
'

277 .
i
,

Ge r m a n S u a v i , i s t o b e d i s t i n g u i s h e d f ro m e i t h e r o f t h e t w o '

Al a r i c s , t h e V i s i g o t h:i c k i n g s a n d A l ar i c K i n g o f t h e
. H e rul i ,

( XX I I I B e u ca an d B ab ai : B euca is n ot m e n t i on e d
e l se wh e r e ; B alb a i a p p e a rs a gain in LIV 2 82 E di c a and
- '
u .

H un uu lf : not m e n tione d e l s e wh e r e ; bu t see H o dgk i n II 517 n .

th e ri v e r B ol i a : n ot m e n t i on e d e l se wh e r e .

278 . a c ri m s on s ea : J o r da n e s is
: at h is b e st i n d e s c r i bi n g
ba t tl e
' '
-
s ce n e s a nd ap p ea r s t o ta ke d e l i gh t i n t h e b lo o d y d e t a i l s
.

he r e c ou n t s . Co m p a r e XL 208 .

27 9 . th e y re oi c e d j wi t h j oy un s p e a k a bl e : th e i n e fi a bi l i e xu l

ta ti a n e l a e ta n tarr o f J o r da n e s s e e m s t o b e '
m a de ov e r fro m
e x u l t a bi ti s l a e ti ti a i n e na rr a bi h i n t h e V u l g alt e I
'

P e tr . I , 8 . See
note on XXVI I 37 fo r a n ot h e r V u l ga t e r e m i n i sc e n c e . That
b o th o f t h e s e B i bl i c a l I
'

e cho e s a re f
r e e r a bl e to a s i n gl e b o o k
'

of

th e Ne w T e s t a m e n t i s n o t e w o rt h y .
1 84 J OR DA N E S Z O R I GI N A ND D EE D S OF T H E G OT H S

P a tri cia n and Ma s t e r of S o l di e r y i n 4 7 8, fo r h e l p i n g r e s to r e

Z en0
-

t o t he t h ro n e a te r f th e r e v o l t o f B a s i l i s cu s I n t h e R o ma u a .

3 84 w e fi n d t h e s e sa m e t hi n g s re l a t e d, t h e w r i t e r a dh e r i n g {t h e re
a l i t t l e m o r e c l o s e l y t o t he a cc o u n t g i v e n b y M a rc e l l i n u s

29 1 . i t wi l l s av e th e e xp e n s e : i n O r o s i u s ( 7 , 43 ) V a l i a , ki ng
of th e V i s i g o t h s sa ys t o t he E m p e r o r H o n o r i u s : t u c u m o m n i bu s
pace m h a be om ni u m q u e o bs i d es a c ci pe ; n os n o bi s c on fli gi m u s , n o bi s

pe r i m u s , ti bi v i n ci m u s : i mm or t a l i s v er o q u a e s tu s er i t r ei p u bl i ca e
tua e, si u tr i q u e perr ea m u s .

29 2 . s ent h im f o rt h : A n o n y m u s Va l es i a n u s 49 : Z e n o r e c o m
s ee

p e n s o ns b e n e fi ci i s Th e o de r i c u m q u e m fe ci t pa tr i ci u m e t c o n s u l e m,
d o u a ns ei m u l tu m et m i tt e n s eu m ad I ta l i a m . H e s p e ri a : t he

p o et i c n am e fo r I ta l y ,
t h e wes t e r n c o u n tr y . S ou tins :
!
w th e
no

r iv e r I sonzo . Se e c or p us i n s cr . la t . V pp 75
. .
9 35 . T h e o do ri c
dat e d h i s re i gn i n I t a l y f ro m t h e b at t l e of th e I s o n zo ( H o dg k i n
III Th e An n a l s of R a v e n na 0n the ye a r 49 0 sa y : his c on

s u li bu s i ngr es s u s es t r ex Th e o de r i c u s i n fo s s a t o po n ti s S o n ti s et

fu gi t Od o a c e r rex de fos s a t o e t o bii t i n B e r o na m . H o dg k i n giv e s

t h e d at e as 4 89 .

2 93 . O do ac e r : see X LV I 2 42 . P i n e ta : fam o u s p in e
th e
fore s t n ear R av e n n a . h a rra s s e d th e Go t h s : s e e An o n y
m u s V a l e s i a n u s 54 : h oc c ons u l e (t h e y e a r 49 1 ) e xi i t Odo a c h ar
r ex de R a v e n n a n o c te cu m H e r u li s i n gr e s s u s i n P i n e ta i n fos s a t o
pa tr i ci i Th e o de r i c i et v i c tu s Odo a c h a r fu g i t R a v e n n a i di bu s
I u li i s .

2 94 . b e gg e d fo r me rc y : see
!
t he c o n t i n ua to r of P r os pe r

(H a vn i e ns i s ) on the yea r 49 3 : Od o a c h ar pa c e in a b Th e u d or i c o
p os tu l o n s a c c e pi t, qua n on di u po ti t u s es t Th e o d o r i cu s c u m
.

pa c e in cu m O d o a c h atr fe ci s s e t ,
i n gr e s s u s ‘

es t Cl as s e in I I I 12
. Mar t .

ac d e i n de i n gr e s s u s e s t R a v e n n a m a ci s s e c i e Od o a c h r e m i n t e rfe ci t ,
p p .

29 5 d e p r i v e d h i m o f hi s l i f e : t h e a s s a s s i n a ti o n o f O d oa c e r i s
.

the da r k e s t b l ot on t he c a ree r of T he o d o r i c th e Gre at . Theo

d o r i c i n v i t e d hi s riv al to a Ib a n
qu et i n t h e P a l a c e of L a u re t u m
a n d t h e re s le w h im '
Wi t h h is ow n han d . See Bu r y I 28 1 ,

H o dg k i n C a m b r i dg e M e di e v al H i st o r y 440
III 2 1 2, L o do i n : .

t h i s i s C h l o d w i g o r Cl o v i s k i n g o f t h e F ra n k s fro m 4 8 1 5 1 1
' -

,
-
.

d au gh t e r A u d e fl e da : Gr e g o r y o f T o u r s ( h i s t F r a n c 3 3 1 ) s a y s
-

. .
,

she w a s h i s s i s t e r : Th e o d o r i cu s r e x I ta li a e Ch l o do v e c hi r e gi s
s or or e m i n m a t r i m o n i o h a bu i t .

29 6 . C e l de be rt T h i u de b e rt : we l e a rn from Gre g o r y o f
To u r s 3, I t ha t t h e l f C l o v i s w e r e Th e u de ri c u s Ch l o d o m e r u s
si o n s o
'

Chi ld e be r t u s a n d Ch l o t o c h a r i u s a n d t h at Th e u de r i c, t h e e l de s t ,
,

h ad a s on n am e d Th e u d e be r t . S o when
‘

J o r da n e s s p eak s of

C e l de be r t , H e l d eb e r t and T h i u de be rt , t h e fi r s t t w o nam e s s e em

ha v e a ri s e n f r o m d it t o g ra p h y , w h i l e t h e t h i r d i s t h at o f a
’
to n ot

son b ut of a g r a n ds o n of Cl o v i s .
 C OM M E N T A R Y 1 85

LV I I I 29 7 . Th i u d i g o t o O s t rog o th o : see P r o c o p i u s be l l ,
Go th
’

, 1 ,
12 ; r num a fir a 7 63V fly ovuémp Atxa pl xq) r ep .

wr épq’ ( T h e o d or i c ) Ge vde xofia a v dv yci r epa i ra pdé vo v fi yy vfia e v

'
ve
‘
.
.

a=l s o A n o ny m u s Va l e s i a n u s 6 3 : u x o r e m ha bu i t a n t e r e g n u m d e q u a ,

s u s c e per a t fil i a s : u n a m d e di t n o mi n e A r e v a g n i A l a r i c o r e gi Vi s i
g o th a r u m i n Ga l li a e t a li a m fil i a m s u a m n o m i n e Th e o de g o t h a S i g i s
m u n do fili o Gu n d e ba u di r egi s . Al a r i c : A l a r i c
l
II r e i gn e d fr o m
4 85 5 07 S e e X L V I I 24 5
-

. H e w a s s l a i n i n bat t l e by . Cl o v i s .

S i gi s m u n d : k i n g o f t h e B u r g u n d i a n s f r o m 5 1 6 5 2 3 -
.

298 . Th o r i s m u d E u t h a r i c w a s t h e g r a n ds o n o f B e r e m u d
: an d

gre at g r a n ds o n o f Th o r i s m u d iS e e
g e n e a l o g i c a l t a bl e , p
. .
41 .

A m a l a s u e n t h a : t h e dau g h t e r o f T h e o d o r i c a n d A u de fl e d a a . For
h e r l a t e r h i s t o r y s e e L I X 3 05 3 06 —
.

29 9 A m a l a fr i da : t h e n a m e o f h e r fi r s t h u s ba n d i s u n k n o w n
. .

Th e o d a h a d : kin g f m 5 3 4 53 6
ro -
. H is u n n a t u ra l [
c ru e l t y is re l a te d

in LI X 3 06 . Th ra s a m u n d : s ee a bo v e , XXXI I I 1 70 . He
re ign e d fr o m 49 6 5 2 3 -
. A m al a b e r ga : see P r o co p i u s be l l . Go t h .

I ,
12 :
'
Epue ve gbp l ii cp be 7 631/ 9 0,017 w dp xo vr t
’

Auekofiép ya u c
r
’
iyv Aua h a c
ppl dns
adeh p fis r a i der
fi
“
s
'
r .

3 00 . C o u n t P i t z a : t o r t h e d ut i e s of t h e C o m es Go th o r u m , see

Ca s s i o d o r u s va r 7, 3 ( H o dg k i n I I I F o r P i tz a s e e E n n o '

di u s pa n eg 1 2 p 4 1 0
-
. . S i r m ( q uo t e d i n t h e n e x t no t e be lo w ) a n d
.
-

Ca s s i o d o r u s v a r 5 29 .
, . P o s s i bl y t h e p e r s o n t o wh o m P ro c o
p i u s r e f e r s ( be l l Go th I , 1 5 ) u n d e r t h e ye a r 5 3 6 : H 57 0
”

1 ? I éT O
‘
. .
OS d I/fip

Th r a s a r i c : i n E n n o d i u s pa n e g 1 2 p 4 1 0 S i r m w e r e a d : S i r m i e u . . .

s i u m c i v i t a s o li m l i m e s I t a l i a e fu i t, i n q ua s e n i olr es d o m i m e x c u ba
’

ba n t ha ec p o s te a pe r r e g e n ti u m n e g l e c tu m i n Ge pi da r u m i u r a
c o n c e s si t pr i n c i pi s u r e ba n t a ni m u m ( T h e o d o r i c ) d o l os i bl a n
di m e n i o c o mm e n ti e t c i r ca a l i o s Gepi da s q u or u m du c t o r e s t Gu n - n

de r i t i n t e m p e s ti v a
, Tr a s e r i c i fa mi li a r i t a s pos t q u a m l i q u i d o
Tr as e r i ci pa tu e r e c o m m e n ta Go th o r u m n o bi l i s s i m os P i tz i a , ,

H e r du i c pu be m n u ll i s
et a dh u c d e di c a t a m pr o e l i i s des ti n a s ti
ut si o bl a ti s pa c ti o ni bu s -
a d q u i e s c e r e t, s eme l i nv a s o l o c or u m
po ti r e tu r a r bi t r i o fu gi t s po n te a li e n a et s i ne i m pu l s u
e x e r c i tu s tu i d es e r u i t q u od de be ba t . c o n ti n u o P i tz i a n on

a d q u i s i ta m es s e t elrr a m c r e di di t, sed re fu s a m . Th r a u s t i l a : see

P a u lu s his t R om .
5 : Th e o de r i c u s
. 1 5, r i u s q u a m I ta l i a m a d
1 p
v e n tar e t, Tr a ps ti l a m Ge pi da r u m r e g e m i n s i di a s s i bi m o li e n t e m be l l o
s u pe r a n s e x ti n x i t . Mu n do : a Hun , a i de d b y t h e Got h s i n 50 5
'

I n E n no d i u s pa u e g 1 2 p 4 1 1 s i r m a ft e r . .

, . . t h e n a rra t iv e o f t h e
c ap t u re o f S i r m i u m b y P i t z a , w e r e a d : q u i bu s ( P it z a a n d h i s
a rm y ) i bi o r di n a ti o n e m m o detr a u t i bu s pe r fo e d e r a t i M u n d o n i s a t tr e c
ta ti o n e m Gra e ci a es t p r ofe s s a d i s c or di a m s e cu m B u lg a r e s s u os in
tu t e la de d u c e n d o q ui d s tr a g es m i li tu m r ev o l v a m et S a bi n i a n i
du c i s a bi ti o n e m tu r pi s s i m a m ? S e e B u ry '
I 2 85 n o t e . S a b i n i an : t h e
1 86 J OR D AN ES : O R I G I N AN D D EED S OF T H E G OT H S

s on of t he g e n e r a l -
of t he sa me nam e wh o fo u gh t wi t h T h e od o r i c
in M a c e do n i a t w e nt y -

s ix y e a rs b e fo re . M a r g o p l an um : p r o b
ab ly o ne of th e two c i tie s of U pper M o e s i a H o r r e a M a r gi a n d
—

Ma r g u s . Th e f o r m M a r g o p l a n u m i s n o t e l se w h e r e f o u n d .

H o dg k i n b e l i e v e s t h e ba t t l e t o o k p l a c e a t H o r re a Ma rgi i n t h e
v al l e y of the Mo rav a . M a r gu s : a s t re a m in Mo e s i a , now the

ht o ra v a .

3 01 . A t t i l a n i : de s c e n d a n t s 0f A t t i 1a
. .

3 02 . I bb a : see a dd . ad Vi c t or e m Tu u u u n e n s e m 0n t he ye a r
509 : Ge s a l i c u s a b H e l ba n e Th e o d or i c i I t a li a e r egi s du c e ab H is pa n a i
fu g a tu s A fr i ca m e ti t s i d o r u s hi s t Go th p . I . .
3 8, on th e year 50 7 :
Ge s a li cu s ab E bba n e Th e o d e r i ci r e gi s d u c e d u o d e ci m o a B ar c i
Io n a u r be m i ia ri o l c o m m is s o pr o e l i o i n fu ga m v e r ti t wr . Th i s i s th e
Ib ba a ir s u bl i m i s du x t o wh o m Ca s s io do ru s writ e s var .
7 4, 1 .

Th i u di s : u pon t he d e a th of A l a ri c II i n 5 07 h i s s o n , Am a l a ri c
s u c c e e de d to t he t h ro a nd rul e d t h e V i s i g ot h s u n t i l
“
ne 53 1 .

Th i u di s re ign e d fr o m 53 1 -

5 48 .

3 03 . th e pre s en t day : t he ye ar 55 1 , wh e n t he Ge ti ca w a s
w ri tt e n . . See i n t r o du c t i o n ,
p age 11
3 . A t h a n a gi l d : I s i do r u s ,

his t Go t h a d era m 5 87 , s a y s A t h a n a g i l d s i n s u r r e c t i o n o c c u r r e d
'

. .

i n the third ye a r o f K i n g A g i l s r e i g n , t h at
’
i s , i n 55 1
'

Th e .

a ddi ta m e n ta ad Vi c t or e m Tu n n u n e u s e m (p .
3 7 2 R o n c ) fo r t h e .

ye ar 5 52 s a y : A gi l a m o r t u o A t ha na gi l du s q u i d u du m ty r a i m i d e m
a ds u m ps e r a t Go t h o r u m r e x e fii c i t u r Mio m m s e n .
( I n tro . p . XV
be l i e v e s t h a t A t h a n a g i l d
’
no te 3 1 ) - -
s r e v o lt s t a rt e d i n 550 Fo r .

At ha n a g i ld Lib e riu s
and se e B u ry I 41 5 . L i b e ri u s t h e P a t ri
c i an : se e P r o c o p i u s be l l . Go th 3 .
, 39 on t he ye a r 5 49 . C o mp a r e
als o 3 , 40 an d 4, 24 .

LIX 3 04 A t h al a r i c : a r é s u m é
. oi th e fo l l owin g s e c tion s is
giv e n i n R om a n o 3 6 7 o n w a r d .

3 06 . Th e o d a h a d : th e so n of Am a l a fr i d a ; see LV I I I 299 .

Al s o B u r y I 3 88 o n w a r d ,
H o dg k i n III 64 1 o n wa r d . B u l s in i an
la ke : th e l a k e o f B o l se n a ,
i n E nt r u r i a . b y hi s h i r e l i n gs : s ee the
c o n ti n u a t o r o f M a rc e l l i n u s
5 3 4 : Th e o da h a du s r e x o
« n th e year
Go t h o r u m A m a l a s u e n t h a m r e g i u a m cr e a tiri c e m s u a m d e r e gn o pu l
s a m i n i n s u l a l a ci B u l s i n i e n s i s o c ci di t c u i us m or t e m i m p I u s ti . .

ut do lu i t s i c e t u l tu s es t .

3 07 . t r i um ph ov e r th e V a n da l s : B e l i s a ri u s c o n q u e re d

A f r i c a i n 5 3 4 a n d w a s r e w a r d e d by a m a g n i fi c e n t t r i u m p h a t
Co n s t a n t i n o p l e i n t h e a u tu m n o f t h e s a m e y e a r .

3 08 S i c il y t h e i r n u r s in g m o t h e r : g r e at e x p o r t s o f c o r n w e r e
.
,

s e n t e v e r y y e a r f ro m S i c i l y t o R o m e T r i n a c r i a : th e tr i a n .

g u l ar land ,
th e p o e ti c nam e fo r S i c i l y . S i n d e ri t h : the sur

r e n de r S y r a c u s e i n 5 3 5 i s r e c o r de d by P r o co p i u s be l l Go t h
of . .

1 5 a n d b y M a r c e l li n u s b u t t h e y d o n o t m e n t i o n t h e n a m e o f
'

, ,
1 88 J OR DA N E s : O R I G I N AN D DE E D s OF T H E G OT H S

XIV 81 and X LV I I I T he d e a t h of Ma t h e s u e n t h a ’
s fi rs t
h u s ba n d V it i g e s t o o k p l a c e i n 5 42 , and h e r m a r r i a g e t o Ge r m a n u s
fo ll o we d s o on a ft e r . a s on (al s o c al l e d Ge r m a n u s ) : Ge r
m anus t h e Y o u n g e r b e ca m e a gre at
'

n o bl e o f C o n s t a n t i n op l e
bu t di d no t re al i ze t he hop es
J o r da n e s H i s d a u g h t e r m a r
. o f .

r i e d T h e o do s i u s t h e s o n o f E m p e r o r M a u r i c e ( 5 82
, On
h i s d e a t h t h e i m p e r i a l p o w e r w a s o ff e r e d to Ge r ma n u s b ut h e
d e c li n e d i t L at e r h e m a d e t w o a tt e m p ts to g a i n t h e p o s i t i on
.

h e h a d r e fu s e d ; a s a r e s u l t o f t h e fi r s t h e w a s f o r c e d t o b e c o m e
a p r i e s t a n d r e n ou n ce h i s o ffi c i a l p o s i t i o n a n d i n c o n s e q u e n c e ,

of the s econ d ( 60 5 ) h e and h i s dau gh t e r w e r e p u t t o d e a t h o n

an island in t h e S e a o f M a r m to r a T h u s t h e A m a l l i n e fi n a l l y
.
l

cam e to an e nd ( H o dgk i n IV An i c i i : a ver y a nc i e n t

R om an fa m i l y of di s t i n c t i o n , bo th in clas s ical an d Ch r i s t i a n
tim e s . C as s i o do ru s s p e ak s of th i s fa m il y ( o ar . 1 0, 1 1 ) in t he
fo l l o w i n g t e r m s : A n i c i os po e pr i n c i pi bu s
ne p a r es a e ta s p ri s ca pr o
ge n u i t . It .is n ot k no wn w h et h e r t h i s fa m i l y re a l l y h ad an

a n c e s t ra l rela tio n
'
tO
'

-
the ho u s e of J u st i ni a n . P o s s i bl y the
m o the r Of Ge rm a n u s w a s a d e s c e n da n t of A ni ci i .